LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN IKONO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, AKWA IBOM STATE

Local Government is an institutional agency for decentralization of development to the grassroot. However, rural communities in Akwa Ibom State, specifically Ikono Local Government Area are still facing numerous issues such as inadequate electricity, health care services, rural roads, markets etc. Therefore, this study examined the impact of local government administration on rural development in Ikono Local Government Area, focusing on the issues of electrification, healthcare facilities, and rural roads in Ikono Local Government Area. Utilizing a survey method, data were collected from 399 residents through stratified random sampling technique. Sustainable Development Theory as propounded by Gro Harlem (1987) and Institutional Theory by Philip Selznick (1949) were adopted as a theoretical guide. The population of the study was taken as 150,000 according to (National Population Commission of Nigeria, 2021). The sample size of 399 was determined using Taro Yamane's formula, a self-structured questionnaire was used to derive answers from the respondents while Chi square statistical tool was used to test the hypotheses. The findings revealed that there is a significant relationship between Local Government Administration and the provision of electrification, health care services and rural road network in Ikono Local Government Area. It was also revealed that while local government efforts have had some positive impacts, significant challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, corruption, and limited community participation persist. To enhance the effectiveness of local government administration in rural development, the study recommends that Ikono Local Government should prioritize regular maintenance of electrical infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted power supply, upgrade health care and rehabilitate rural roads.