AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF ELITIST SYNDROME AND POLITICS ON THE EFFICACY OF SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES IN DELTA STATE

Abstract

The study assessed the impact of elitist syndrome and politics on the efficacy of social empowerment programmes in Delta State between 2015 and 2023. The descriptive survey design was used for the study. The structured questionnaire was used as the main instrument of data collection. A sample of four hundred (400) was drawn for the study using simple random and convenience sampling technique. The method of data analysis included the use of mean and standard deviation and Student T-Test statistical techniques. The study found out that there is a significant difference between government policy and social empowerment programmes in Delta state. It was recommended that the government should make concerted efforts to ensure that social empowerment programmes benefit the masses for which they were design. This is through ensuring that they are handled in ways that make it difficult for elites to have access to them. Also, it was recommended amongst others that there should be a policy framework to tackle issues of pro-rich approach in order to make such that wealthy people do not use their influence to circumvent due process to hijack these programmes. This is by making the process transparent and simple enough to make it easy for the common man to participate. Also, there should be specific targets and means of accessing these targets so that the programmes can be void of corruption. If the programmes are designed for youths, the categories should be spelt and how to get to such categories should be devised. People with integrity should be made to handle these programmes and not necessarily ministries which can be compromised. This way corruption can be tackled and reduced to some level.