Impact Of Millennium Development Goals (MDGS) On The Standard Of Living Of Rural Dwellers

The study examines the impact of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on the standard of living of rural dwellers in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The sample size for this study consists of 50 respondents selected out of the total population of 150 persons using the simple random selection sampling technique. The analysis indicates that the MDGs Goals that have been effective in that area are basically achieving primary education, reducing of child mortality as well as improving maternal health, however the problem militating against the achievement of other goals arises from corruption, inefficiency and wastefulness of resources, Duplication of project and Skeptism of meeting the goal of MDG before 2015. The findings further show that the Problem Militating against MDG is basically corruption and inefficiency of resources. Government should establish credible and efficient Institutions for proper public resource management, while the existing ones need to be strengthened in order to ensure effective utilization fund in MDG project.

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

In order to address the problem of poverty and promote sustainable development, the Unified Nations Millennium Declaration was adopted in September 2000 at the largest ever gathering of head of states committing countries both rich and poor to do all they can to eradicate poverty, promote human dignity and equality, achieve peace, democracy and environmental stability, the goals include those dedicated to eradicating poverty, achieving universal primary education, promote gender equality and empowering women, reducing child mortality, improving material health, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases ensuring environmental sustainability and developing a global partnership for development.

However, several surveys indicate that there are limitations of utilizing the MDG as a framework for delivering development, hence it becomes imperative to conduct an empirical investigation on the subject matter. This is owing to the controversy surrounding whether Nigeria can meet the MDG goals before 2015. According to MDG (2004) report “based on available information it is unlikely that the country will be able to meet most of the goals by 2015 especially the goals related to eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, educing child and maternal mortality and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases”. It further stated that “for most of the other goals (i.e. apart from goals) up-to-date data exists which shows that if the current trend continues, it will be difficult for the country to achieve the MDG targets by 2015”. It is against this background that the research sees the subject matter as an issue worthy of empirical investigation.

1.2 Statement of Problem

The Millennium Development Goals provides a platform to engage the development process in Nigeria and indeed the world at large. But in spite but this veritable potential of (MDGs) in enhancing development, there are limitations to utilizing the Millennium Development Goals as a framework for delivering or measuring development. This is sequel to the situation in Nigeria which indicates that there are challenges in meeting the goals by 2015. this is contained in the 2004 report which was Nigeria’s first report on the (MGD’s), which states that “based on available information, it is unlikely that the country will be able to meet most of the goals by 2015, especially the goals relating to eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, reducing child and maternal mortality and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases”. As such doubt is expressed about the viability of millennium development goals in rural areas. Hence the need to study the subject matter. The impact of Millennium Development Goals on the standard of living of rural dwellers.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The central objective of the study is to examine the impact of Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) on the standard of living of rural dwellers in Lere Local Government Area. The specific objectives are:

To examine the goals of MDG and its effect on the lives of rural dwellers in Lere L.G.A

To examine the strategy used in achieving Millennium Development goals in Lere L.G.A

To identify the problems militating against Millennium Development goals in Lere L.G.A

To proffer workable solutions to the identified problems of Millennium Development Goals in Lere L.G.A

1.4 Significance of the Study

The study will be beneficial to all stakeholders of Millennium Development Goals, especially as they utilize the findings of this research in evaluating the performance of Millennium development Goals in rural areas. The study will also contribute to existing the existing knowledge on Millennium Development Goals. It is also worthy to note that the study will be a good reference material to the General Public as well as students who may wish to make further research on the subject matter as they can use this research as a springboard to carryout their own research work..

1.5 Research Questions:

What are the goals of MGD and how does it affect the lives of rural dwellers in lere L. G. A?

What are the strategies used in achieving Millennium Development Goals in Lere L.G.A?

What are the problems militating against the success of Millennium Development Goals in Lere L.G.A?

What are the solutions to the identified problems of Millennium Development Goals in Lere L.G.A?

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study covers an empirical examination of the impact of Millennium Development Goals on the standards of living of the rural dwellers. To this end, empirical data will be obtained from Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The study equally examine the goals of MDG and how it affects the lives of rural dwellers as well as the strategy and problems militating against the success of MDG in Lere L. G.A. The study covers a time from 2004-2011.

1.7 Limitation of the Study

The study is limited to Lere Local Government Area Kaduna State for the fact that the study is limited to Lere Local Government it will be difficult to generalize the findings on other rural areas in Nigeria. For the fact that a survey method was used as the research design as well as questionnaire as the research instrument, it is not really certain if the same result would be achieved if other designs and instruments like export as well as interview schedule can yield the same results. Besides, another limitation is that the respondents could have either over-exaggerated or understated their responses while scoring the items in the questionnaire. Also the nonchalant attitude of some respondents could affect the validity of their responses to the questionnaire. These limitations should be taken cognizance of by other researchers conducting similar studies.

1.8 Definition of Terms

MDG:

This is an acronym for Millennium Development Goals.

MDG Strategies:

Ways of achieving Millennium Development Goals.

Rural Areas:

Countryside communities.

RBM:

Acronym for roll back malaria imitative of MDG.