1.1 BACKGROND OF THE STUDY
Stripped of all technicalities, implementation problem in most developing nations is the problem of a reddening gap between intentions and results. Honadle (1991) tried to identify the problem associated with policy implementation as that of social carpenters and masons who fail to build to specifications and thus distort the blueprint. He was equating policy with building plan. Quoting him he said. “Implication is the nemesis of designers, it conjures up images of plans gone every end of social carpenters and masons who fail to build to specifications and thereby distort the beautiful blue prints for progress which were handed to them”.
The above quotations show the importance that is attached to policy implementation and those that are responsible for implementing these policies. It is shown that no matter how beautiful the blue print of a programme is, a defective implementation of it will make nonsense of the whole programme.
Unfortunately, the situation as described by Honadle above is what goes on in Nigeria. As stated by Eyonmuan (1971) implementation in these country often turns out to be the graveyard of policy where the intentions of the designer of policies are often undermined by a constellation in cooperation with people little attention is paid to the subject of policy implementation by policy decision makers while it is often taken for granted that once a policy is adopted by government it must be implemented and the desired goals achieved. There is policy failure when there is a sizeable gap between a policy decision and its implementation. Such a gap is characterized. For example, by the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer in spite of the stated policy goal to the contrary.
Despite the plethora of poverty alleviation programme which past government had initiated and implemented, by 1999 when the Obasanjo administration came to power a world Banks report indicated that Nigeria’s Human Development index (HDI) was only 0416 and that about 70 percent of the population was vegetating below the brand line.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
In the course of this work, a lot of problems emerged. It therefore sets out to address the following problems.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the study are as follows:
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This work is so essential because it will prove itself as a landmark to policy makers, statesmen, politicians and even bureaucrats alike which is also reliable and as a veritable guide for future policy implementation.
It will also provide the platform for more indebt research into the art and science of policy implementation in Nigeria especially within the period when administration of development is much harped on by different regimes for much cherished development and economic growth in Nigeria.
This work will expose the flaws inherent with National Poverty Eradication Programme as it concerns the objectives and goals of policy implementation which is seen as a problem.
Furthermore, the efficiency and effectiveness of the leadership are so enhanced with the skill and technique for policy formulation and implementation for effective result especially during the National Poverty Eradication Programme period and decision.
It is expected that this study would expose the actual factors that influences and shape the nations public making process.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study covers the process of fast policy implementation in the Nigerian system of government and the role of NAPEP as charged with responsibility of gearing all its effort towards the development of the entire rural areas of Nigeria in order to improve the quality of life of the rural dwellers.
1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
The limitation of this study is based on the constraints the researcher faced during carrying out this research and those constraints are;
The attitude of the respondents was not encouraging, they were nonchalant.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
1.9 Organization of the Study
This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows. Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (background of the study), statement of the problem, purpose of the study, research questions, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope of the study etc. Chapter two being the review of the related literature presents the theoretical framework, conceptual framework and other areas concerning the subject matter. Chapter three is a research methodology covers deals on the research design and methods adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding. Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study