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| THE NIGERIA STATE, URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND THE DILEMMA OF GOOD GOVERNANCE. |
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INTRODUCTION
Through the years Nigeria has undergone a process of experimentation with several governmental systems, but “good governance” that would ensure a sustainable and desirable urban development have been elusive through the years. As a consequence Urban centers. They include environmental pollution, traffic disorder, and incessant building collapse, social and political problems. These problems are also attributable to lack of physical planning.
The paper advocates for a reappraisal of constitutional legislative and operational mechanisms of development control at all levels of governance particularly in urban centers. This, the paper argues will make them mover efficient in the performance of their social and political functions. It suggests a healthy balance between planning, politics and adequate involvement of citizens in the development and political process of urban centers.
THE NIGERIAN STATE.
The Nigerian state had a long history of transition to various types of governmental of transition from one form of governmental system to the other. Nigeria became a Federation of three regions and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations following her independence on October 1, 1960. In 1963, she became a republic with the first designated president, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe who was the Governor General between 1960 and 1963. The Federal structure in 1963 became four regions with Mid-West region having been created from the western region. The four regions were; Northern, Eastern, Western and Mid-Western regions.
From independence till today, Nigeria has experimented with different types of government. Beginning from October 1 1960 to September 30, 1963 Nigeria operated the parliamentary system, the Westminster type of government, with the British Monarch as constitutional Head of state. The Governor- General represented her majesty, the Queen. The Prime Minister presided over a council of ministers which comprised mainly members of the Federal House of Representatives. There was a senate, made up of selected representatives from the three regions at the time, with equal member of representation. The senate President was the Head of the Senate, while the speaker of the House of Representatives was the head of the body.
The Republican system (First Republic) was embraced between October 1, 1963 and January 15, 1966. In this system, the office of Governor-General was changed to that of president (a non-executive position). The President was not an elected official. He remained the Head of State, Commander in Chief of the Armed forces of the country as he was under the Parliamentary system. The Prime Minister remained the Head of Government, and members of the council of Ministers were still essentially members of the House of Representatives.
Two years after adopting the Republic system of government, on January 14 to 15, 1966, a section of the Nigerian Military struck. This marked the beginning of an era of Military dictatorship which lasted till September 30, 1979 in the first instance while General Olusegun Obasanjo as Head of State. He handed over power to Alhaji Shehu Shagari, a civilian President on October 1, 1979. After series of coups, attempted coups and counter coups, over a period of 13 years, elections were held to usher, in an American type, Presidential style of government, with an Executive President of the center and Executive Governors in the State. Three arms of government were operative: The Executive, the Legislative and the Judiciary. Unfortunately however, through these years of transition till date “good governance” has been elusive but still a quest.
There has been laudable attempts under a democratic leadership since 1999, to reconstruct the social and political structures that should bring about urban development by addressing some fundamental problems such as: Human right abuses, Corruption and Poverty. However, the present political climate shows we still have a long way to go. Nigeria is still experiencing increased cases of human rights abuses, corruption in high places, poverty, insecurity of lives and property, ethnic and religions dashes, political violence and killings, environmental degradation, civil unrest and sustainable.
A desirable and sustainable urban development can be achieved through:
i. Effective physical planning and
ii. Good governance.
THE STATE OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
Nigeria is richly endowed with natural resources. However due to lack of good governance the resources have been mismanaged. Corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of the nation increasing the gap between the rich and the poor. Thus, making the poor, poorer and the rich richer. Urban development is important in the growth of the Nigerian state which planning is concerned with.
The Urban society is characterized by a sharp economic disparity between a small member of wealth families and a large member of poor families. This is making living conditions within cities so bad.
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Writer Profile
akinbo a. a. cornerstone
A prolific Nigerian writer with a gift for words. Wrote under the pen name of Fad and Quad during the Military Era. Currently uses the "pscornerstone" signature.
An activist with religious inclination and respect for cultural heritage, he grew up streetwise and with great love for his country, Nigeria.
He believes that he who holds the word holds the world.
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Comments
Spend a few minutes reading the other students' blogs and adding your comments NLfS-team5 | Sep 1st, 2007
Spend a few minutes reading the other students' blogs and adding your comments
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