THE EFFECT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION IN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (A CASE STUDY OF IDEMILI LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN ANAMBRA STATE)
ABSTARCT
In this research work, the researcher intended to have a general discussion with local government as my background. But lack of space may not allow me for detailed discussion and analysis. However, all essentials part of the impact of local government administration in economic and social development in Nigeria are discussed. In chapter one, I discussed the background, the problem, purpose of the study, scope, some research question and research hypothesis, significance, and some definition of terms. In chapter two, contains review of related literature, local government, social and economic development process, characteristic of rural area and the history of local government in Nigeria. Furthermore, chapter three contains research design, area of the study, population and sample size, instrument for data collection validation of instrument, reliability of instrument and method of data collection and method of data analysis. And chapter four, contains presentation and analysis of data, testing of hypothesis and summary of result. Finally chapter five, contains discussion of result findings, conclusion, implication of the research findings, recommendation, limitation and suggestion for further research.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
This study is a modest attempt at a lucid explication of the role of local government in Nigeria. Nigerian local government system has witnessed tremendous transformation since the introductions of the 1988 civil service reforms and its application at the local government administration one of the changes introduced to strengthen the local government is the direct payment of their statutory allocations which was increased from 15% to 20%. In addition local government auditor was established in each state government to ensure proper utilization of financial resources at the local level to check any misappropriation of public funds. Also all local government now has a common structure which distinguish them from service department.
Local government at any level has some stand and roles such as the maintenance of law and order, the promotion of economic and social development. They are left with considerable freedom to act as they see fit for the interest of the local community. From the point of view the government as agents of development are will place to help the rural areas to develop. These can be done by investing in social and economic infrastructure such as roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, electrification and telecommunication. The other essential duties inherited from the Native Authorities include rural and the urban water supplies markets and libraries. We generally regard the convenience list as including those extra amenities which make for a better life in the community, other than those life in the community, other than those which are concerned with fighting discuss e.g. bus and lorry parks. The regulation of handcarts on the streets, community and recreation centers, parks and open spaces, grazing areas and fuel plantations, the naming of streets and the numbering of buildings. These are recognized as automatically the responsibility of the local government. They also help in the service of park control and supply of water, electricity and gas, the provision of road and water transport, and any other trading undertaking that the state government specifically authorizes. The local government also take care for a specifically health orientation and supplying of drugs, a midwifery service, to arrange for health visiting and home nursing to provide facilities for vaccination and immunization.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Local government is expected to become more meaningful in facilitating social and economic development at the grassroots level. Central to the achievement of these objectives is the financial viability of this tier of government. This point has been subtly underscored by “Dasuki panel” on local government administration, when it observed inter alia that a good number of local government roles could not be performed at all, due to a variety of reasons principal among which are:
(a) Inadequate financial capacity
(b) Lack of necessary technical manpower, and erosion of functions particularly in the revenue yielding areas by state government – thus reducing the revenue base of the local government.
This demonstrates that success or failure of local government depends among other things, on their revenue base, the fiscal resources available and the way these resources are utilized. However, central to the above is the ability of the local government to generate substantial financial resources which is one of the tripartite goals of every local government in Nigeria more importantly, one is inclined to think that this is the point that can give an impact in breaking the vicious cycle of poverty of Ika south local government. The researcher wants to identify the reasons for the vicarious cycle, and proffer a solution to the above problems.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
This study seeks to look at the contribution of local government development of rural areas in Nigeria using Ika south local government area of Delta state. This research also aimed at identifying different factors militating the effectiveness of local government and solutions to those problems identified and it will be offered at the completion of the research work. Finally, the study makes a modest attempt to fulfill this purpose in the social and economic development of the effective delivery of service to the respective local populations scattered all over the country. It also make a recommendations on making local government an effective third level of government, the development and management of the human resources of local governments and the development of the financial resources of local government. The overall thrust of the recommendation is on how to ensure faithful implementation of local government.
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