2.6. Local Administration
Development of agriculture requires that local government
units contribute to planning, coordination and execution of
schemes at the local level. Currently, the administration
of the country is highly centralized in the person of the
President who is, for local administration, assisted by the
Department of Internal Affairs. Planning is done completely
at government level, i. a from above, and communication is
almost exclusively of the up-down type. The late President's
habit of touring the country and of holding palavers was probably
the most important means of a down up communication.
As regards administration, the country is divided into 9
counties with a Superintendent as administrative chief. He
is the personal representative of the President in the county
and is always a man on whom the President can rely. The Superintendent
is responsible for the application of law and the maintenance
of peace and order. He supervises the collection of taxes.
The county level staff of the different departments sends
copies of all their reports to him. He seems to be little
involved in the direct decision making process of these departments
in matters concerning his county. Coordination between the
different technical services exists only on a personal basis,
while there are no institutional provisions. Counties are
divided into Districts under a Commissioner who is responsible
to the Superintendent.
At the lower level, local administration is in the hands
of the traditional tribal authorities. The highest rank is
that of Paramount Chief who is elected by the chiefs and elders
but who serves at the discretion of the President who may
veto the election. He is supported by the council of elders
which he has to consult on all important matters. The Paramount
Chief is responsible for the maintenance of law and order
and has to enforce the tribal customs. He has to assist in
the tax assessment and supervises the collection of taxes
by the lower rank chiefs. The law also requests him to promote
agriculture, industries, trade and welfare, but, when discussing
with chiefs, one gets the impression that this is limited
to control that the activities do not coincide with the law,
the tribal customs or the interest, of other people. The Clan
Chiefs; Town Chiefs' and Quarter Chiefs' responsibilities
are about the same in their respective units. Chiefs are apparently
still influenced by the existing secret societies insofar
as observance of tribal customs is concerned.
It is very difficult to judge the power of the chiefs. They
are not government employees, but retain part of the taxes
for their services and part of the levies for local projects.
Traditionally, their power is largely determined by their
control (not ownership) of land. The notion of the State as
supreme owner of land and the fact that Government took possession
of the land
without the chiefs being able to hinder this, has weakened
their position which, today, seems, to quite an extent, to
depend on the individual personality.
The current organization of the local administration shows
all the character istics of a tax-law-order administration,
and the administrative body, from the President's personal
representative to the elders' councils, seems to be well suited
for this purpose. It lacks, however, the necessary factors
for rural development: involvement of the population, planning
and coordination at the local level, influence of technicians
and up-down as well es down -up communication channels.
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