THE IMPACT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO RURAL DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY OF IKOM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

This study. investigated the Social Protection Programmes and Poverty Reduction in Cross River State,Nigeria : A Case Study of the Beneficiaries of Conditional Cash Transfer in Obudu Local Government Area(2015 – 2022 ) . The study raised three research questions which turned to three objectives and three hypotheses. The survey research was adopted for the study and the sample size of the study was 400. The questionnaire was used in gathering the data from respondents who are Beneficiaries of Conditional Cash Transfer in Obudu Local Government Area. The chi-square statistical tool was used for data analysis and testing of the hypotheses. The testing of the hypotheses showed that conditional cash transfer has impacted on beneficiaries in Obudu Local Government Area on the aspect of small scale business, poverty reduction and health. The study recommended that the stipends being paid to beneficiaries should be increased to enable more beneficiaries to established small scale businesses which will help to promote self employment and the build the local economy.Also,the government should enlarge the programme to accommodate more elderly people in rural communities as it will go a long way in cushioning the impact of the present economic realities. Finally,the stipend paid should be increased to enable the beneficiaries tackle more complicated health issues since they are not covered on any health insurance policy .