ABSTRACT
In establishing irrigation schemes in tribal trust lands, government strained its good relationships with African chiefs, for once an irrigation scheme has been established in a chiefdom, its land is removed from the direct control of the chief and placed under personnel responsible to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The administrative framework of all government controlled irrigation schemes is identical. The Ministry of Internal Affairs controls all irrigated land in tribal areas through its civil servants and through other employees. The district commissioner is responsible for the admission and expulsion of plotholders. The close supervision of the plotholders by the scheme personnel and the complete control of the latter over the running of the scheme, prevent the people from participating in the local administration and create in them a feeling of insecurity. The growth of voluntary associations is discouraged and those which start tend to be short-lived.
