1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Price of palm oil is largely affected by production or output of the palm oil within the year and general inflation (Fly, 2003). Past policies have aimed at increasing agricultural productivity through increased investment in agronomic and production system research. The discovery of petroleum in the late 50's and its exploitation and export in the early 70's changed the economic scenario in favour of oil as the chief revenue earner for the nation. The global economic recession of the mid-80's however exposed the inherent structural weakness of import substitution as a strategy for industrialization. With the coming of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) in 1986 and the concomitant devaluation of the naira, Nigeria manufacturers found it's difficult to import the needed raw materials and machinery to produced profitable policy formulation has failed to take cognizance of the fact that production and marking constitute a continuum and that the absence of the development in one retards progress in the other (Olayemi, 1972).It in view of this that the researcher intends to investigate the impact of the distribution and utilization of oil palm on the socio-economic development in Oruk Anam LGA.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The main objective of the study is to investigate the impact of distribution and utilization of oil palm on the socio-economic development of Oruk Anam LGA ofAkwaIbom State. But to aid the completion of the study, specific objective includes:

i) To investigate the impact of oil palm distribution on the socio-economic development of Oruk Anam

ii) To ascertain the role of oil palm distribution on the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

iii) To evaluate the benefit of oil palm production on the economic development of Nigeria

iv) To ascertain the role of government in aiding effective production and distribution of oil palm in Oruk Anam LGA

1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

To aid the completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher

H0: oil palm distribution does not play any significant role on the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

H1: oil palm distribution does play a significant role on the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

H02: government does not play any role in aiding effective production and distribution of oil palm in Oruk Anam LGA.

H2: government does play a significant role in aiding effective production and distribution of oil palm in Oruk Anam LGA

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

It is believed that at the completion of the study, the findings will be of great importance to the rural farmers as the study seek to help them explore the benefit of oil palm production and distribution to the farmers, government, consumers and the general public. The study will also be of great importance to the government as the study seek to explore tha untapped potentials of oil palm production in Oruk Anam LGA and its contribution to economic growth. The study will also be of great importance to researcher who wants to embark on research on similar topic as the findings will serve as a reference point to them. Finally the study will be of great importance to the academia and the general public as the study will add to the pool of knowledge.

1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study covers the impact of the distribution and utilization of oil palm on the socio-economic development of Oruk Anam LGA of AkwaIbom state. In the cause of the study, there were some factors which limited the scope of the study

a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study

b) TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.

c) Organizational privacy: Limited Access to the selected auditing firm makes it difficult to get all the necessary and required information concerning the activities

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Oil palm

Palm oil is naturally reddish in color because of a high beta-carotene content. It is not to be confused with palm kernel oil derived from the kernel of the same fruit, or coconut oil derived from the kernel of the coconut palm

Economic development

Economic development is the process by which a nation improves the economic, political, and social well-being of its people. Whereas economic development is a policy intervention endeavor with aims of economic and social well-being of people,economic growth is a phenomenon of market productivity and rise in GDP

Distribution

Distribution (or place) is one of the four elements of the marketing mix. Distribution is the process of making a product or service available for the consumer or business user that needs it. This can be done directly by the producer or service provider, or using indirect channels with intermediaries.

1.8 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows

Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), statement of problem, objectives of the study, research question, significance or the study, research methodology, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlight the theoretical framework on which the study its based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding. Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.