1.8 Scope,significance and limitations

1.8.1 Scope

Content Scope

This study is focused on a period of 29 years from (1993_2022)to obtain a good assessment of what has been done so far by the local Government (LG) in  the development of Buea.the year 1993 was a turning point in the history of Cameroon because, it marks the period of the municipal and council elections in Cameron.

Time Scope

The period of  the research spans from 1993 to 2022. This period is chosen because, it is the Period that focuses on Democratic decentralization on development of Cameroon

Geographical Scope

The Buea municipal council is the sub divisional headquarter of Buea and the south west Regional head quarter of Cameron. Created on the 29th of June 1977 by presidential decree No// 77 /203,the Buea municipality has a surface area of 870 sq.km with over 23 villages ,4 distinct identified urban spaces as pee outlined criteria (Buea Station, Soppo Molyko/mile 17and Muea).It is highly complex community caught between a blend of urban, Semi urban,Rural and traditional settings .

Buea municipality is bounded to the North by tropical forest on the slope of mount Cameroon (4100m above sea level). The mountain ranges, extends a beautiful sandy beaches of Atlantic Ocean .the town also share boundary with other major towns like the city of Limbs to the south west, Tiko municipality to the southeast, Muyuka municipality to East and Idenau distinct to the West .with an Equatorial Climate, temperature are moderate economy with agricultural administration business, tourism and financial sector taking the central stage of the town .

Buea has an estimated population of about 300,000 inhabitants constituting essentially of The Bakweri(the indigenes)in the village and highly cosmopolitan population with urban space,putting the indigenes at a minority.

The Bakwei language spoken by the natives is equally written and documented. English and French are 2 official language use BT the general interaction. While pidgin is lingual Franks .The average life expectancy of this area is 50years.literacy rate is on the rise with some 60,70% of youth having access to education.

Buea was chosen because, it is a cosmopolitan town bringing together several people from all the corners of the country.

1.8.2 Significance

Studies on rural development have often had a narrow focus concentrating on the Agricultural sector which is the main economic activity in most rural areas, in Africa, This study adopts a broad focus on rural development, examining the implications of decentralization on local political empowerment. The general trend has been overlooked in studies of rural development. The general trend has been that, the state has control of what, when, where and how rural development should be done to improve the lives of rural people

The study was carried out in Buea, a rural area in Southwest province of Cameroon. the decision to study this area and this particular choice of topic was rooted from its historical status, which inspired me to ask some questions, investigate and come up with answers to the questions.In recent times, much has been written about  the failures of Government as implimenters of socio-economic growth .One observation is that, the problem with the current system is that, public institutions cannot attain a satisfactory level of autonomy to work with rural people in ways that would promote better performance.

There is feeling that, Local Government structures are not able to respond  adequately to the socio-economic functions that they are expected to, and yet decentralization was meant to address socio-economic related problems.

Development forces are gradually gaining grounds in Buea because of the presence of the LG  and the capacity to boost participation, but they are not responding adequately and efficiently to the needs of the local people. Much has been written on rural development but it seems to be having very little effects on the problems it seeks to address.

1.8.3 Limitations

The Research was carried out in Fako division in the city’ of Buea, in so doing, the researcher faced some problems which are;

_  there was a problem of insecurity; the research was Carried out in a time where there was political insecurity in southwest in general and Buea in particular, it was carried out in a period were people were kidnapped, boys and girls been caught by the police if they don’t have an ID or for their own reasons, therefore, it was not easy for the researcher to gather information from the public as everyone was looking for his/her own way of escape.

_ unwillingness of respondents to give their responses; when the researcher tries to talk to people give them questioners, some ignored and some ended up pouring insults on the researcher

_  weather was also a major problem. The researcher find it difficult to ask people on their various opinions,it was hash hot weather. Thus the researcher had to purchase an Umbrella.

1.9  Organisation of the study.

The study is organized in to five Chapters;

Chapter one (1) is the GENERAL INTRODUCTION which  includes ;Background to study,Statement of problem, Research objective, General Objective, Specific objective, Research Hypothesis, literature Review, Conceptual Review, Empirical Review, knowledge Gab, Theoretical framework,Research Methodology, Research Design, Study Area, Population of the study ,sample procedure and Sample size ,instruments of Data Collection, validity and Reliability of the instruments ,Method of Data Analysis, Ethical consideration, Scope, Significance and Limitations of the study. 

Chapter two (2) will answer Research Question 1,Hypothesis 1.

Chapter three (3) will answer research questions 2,hypothesis 2.

chapter four (4) will answer research questions 3,hypothesis 3,

Chapter five (5) is Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations.