CHAPTER ONE

1.0   INTRODUCTION

Nigerian policy makers in recent years have been showing appreciation degree of interest in efforts by groups of individuals and communities to pool their resources together to solve common problems aimed at making life worth while in their locality.

Community effort is a purposely device that has for ages sustained and maintained most communities in Nigeria including Ukam, after the civil war, there was little or no financial assistance from the state or federal government with regard to their human, economic and social resources devastated. Without delay they mobilized resources to rebuild their war battered economy and social infrastructures rebuilding of homes, roads, schools, markets, post offices and provision of amenities like water, electricity etc were done through the communities efforts.

Sometimes the government offers technical and financial assistance to rural communities embarking on such self-help efforts. They do this through government agencies like community development departments in the Federal and state’s ministries of Rural/Social Development and Directorates of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructures (DFRRI). These notwithstanding the fact remains that a lot of problems persist. Attempt will be made in this paper to examine those problems that militate against community, with particular reference to Ukam. Autonomous community in Mkpat-Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. It is with the view of identifying possible improvement strategies.

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Generally most rural communities are faced with or confronted by a set of community development problems and may therefore require information to develop responses.

The main aim of this work is to look into and find out these problems the rural communities encounter while executing community development programmes with particular reference to my town Ukam which is in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. These problems will be highlighted based on my research. The work will in addition offer recommendations with a view to involving more permanent solution in its future community development programmes.

1.2     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this project lies in the beliefs and practices of Ukam community and their way of life. The reforms and the way of life this community in the olden times and the present situation and how they have changed in recent times.

1.3     LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Due to the social and political nature of the community, there was the need to interview the traditional ruler, the village head and the only unbiased executive of Ukam Community Development Association (UCDA) for a meaningful outcome.

1.4     DEFINITION OF TERMS

Problem: An unsatisfactory situation that causes difficulties.

Solution: A way of dealing with a problem or difficult situation

Community: A group of people living together in one place, having a common religion or race with similarities of attitude or interest and culture

Development: To make something more advanced