1.0 Introduction
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.
1.1 Background of the Study
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 7 point agenda which past government had initiated and implemented, by 1999 when the Obasanjo administration came to power a World Bank report indicated that Nigeria's Human Development Index (HDI) was only 0416 and that about 70 percent of the population was negating 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.
- What is 7 point Agenda?
- Why did Nigeria adopt 7 point agenda as economic measures measures of policy implementation?
- What was the objective sort to achieve by 7 point agenda on the economy?
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The objectives of the study are as follows:
- To explain the importance of 7 point agenda as a means or strategy for revamping Nigerian economy.
- To check if 7 point agenda is a good economic recovery programme that could help tripe out poverty from Nigeria.
- To show that Nigeria is badly in need of external loan to enable her regain equilibrium in the economic scheme of things.
- The restoration of hope in the mind of poor people in Nigeria. This involves providing basic necessities to hitherto neglected people particularly in the rural areas.
1.4 Research Questions
This research question on the problems of policy implementation in Nigeria (A case study of 7 point agenda has the following question which consist of the following.
- The problem facing policy implementation in Nigeria \\, can it be solve effectively?
- The policy implementation, is it going to solve the problems of the people in the rural areas when it is been implemented?
- Does it have any impact on the people.
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 7 point Agenda 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 7 point agenda 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 policy implementation in the Nigerian system of government and the role of 7 point agenda 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;
- Lack of finance to carry out the research.
- There was no enough time for the researcher to adequately carryout his research.
- The researcher also has this problem of traveling long distance to get information also with high cost of transportation. The attitude of the respondents was not encouraging, they were nonchalant.
1.8 Definition of Terms
1. Problems:
From the advanced oxford learners' dictionary, problem is used to be something that is difficult to deal with or understand.
2. Policy Implementation:
Policy implementation is giving help and effect to policy so that objectives of the policy can be achieved.
3. Programme:
A programme is a plan of things that will be done or included in the development of anything.
4. Politics:
A politic is all human activities that are involved in getting and using power in public life and bring also a decision that influences others in any place.
5. Public Policy:
A public policy is the connection refers to those definite actions of government that is towards the fulfillment of the obligation of the state.