NON STATE ACTORS AND POVERTY AMELIORATION; THE ROLE OF LIFT ABOVE POVERTY ORGANIZATION (LAPO) IN BAYELSA STATE

Abstract

This study examined the role of non-state actors in the alleviation of poverty in Bayelsa state, Nigeria. This civil society serves as a substitute for some of the governments’ activities by encouraging the initiation of socio-economic empowerment programmes geared towards poverty reduction. Many works of literature have recorded a reasonable number of success stories concerning their effort in ameliorating poverty in Nigeria; however, the impact of their activities on people living in some areas in Bayelsa State is still scanty. The study adopted the survey research design and the combination of both probabilistic and non-probabilistic sampling procedures. The study chosen 379 respondents who were administered questionnaire and in-depth interview sessions were held with ten respondents of LAPO staff in the three branch offices in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Data collected for the study were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Consequently, the study revealed that beneficiaries of LAPO have been empowered socially, economically, educationally and otherwise. However, the major beneficiaries of the scheme are people in business specifically those in medium and small scale businesses in Bayelsa State. The study therefore recommends that the government should enact more effective policies enhancing the capacity of other non-governmental organizations to increase the scope of persons benefitting from crucial poverty alleviating schemes in the state.