THE RELEVANCE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN NIGERIA: WAY FORWARD

Abstract

This project titled “Relevant of Local Government in Nigeria: A Way forward (Etsako West as a Case Study)” there is need for local governments in Nigeria as a federal system. Not only that, effective grassroots governance is a sin-qua-non in overall development of any country. Descriptive research method was used to gather information through the use of well structured questionnaire. Chi-square was used to analyze the hypothesis. It was discovered that total autonomy should be granted to the local government administration. It was concluded that lack of autonomy is hindering the speeding development process of the local government affairs. And recommended among others that the local government (25%) twenty five percent of the federation account should be increased to thirty five percent (35%) so that the local government would be able to cope with the herculean task of funding the primary institution as directed by the constitution.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background to the Study

This study examines the relevant of Local Government in Nigeria and the way forward.

Over the years, efforts have been made to democratize local government and make it more responsive to developmental needs.  The problems of Local Government in Nigeria have been documented and they include among other things inadequate planning, poor implementation of policies, inadequate revenue, corruption and mismanagement, lack of adequate manpower, lack of autonomy, lack of participation by the people and intergovernmental conflict.

Local government is grassroots government recognized by law. It is defined severalty by authors and bodies.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The local governments are generally as government of the grassroots level and as a three tiers of government. The 1976 local government act defined local government as a government at local level exercise through representation council established by law to exercise specific powers within defined areas. Deductively, from the above definition it is pertinent to say that local government is a very large extent have important roles to play in their policy formulation and implementation and very significant as a provider and as a promoter of certain values.

Be that as it may, the history of local government in Nigeria has revealed that not much has been achieved in local government administration over the years. Local government have experienced a chaotic situation which scholars and observers have quickly pointed out to be mainly  result of insufficient autonomy, lack of competent personnel and inelastic revenue.

1.3Research Questions

Most local government chairman lack the charisma to manage and direct the affairs of the employees/workers.

i.            Does the style adopted by the local government chairman motivate the councilors and the employees towards performance?

ii.          Does the workers perception of their chairman’s fairness in dealing with them motivate them to better job done?

iii.        Does the workers/councilor perception of their local government chairman encourage them toward delivery of objectives?