CHAPTER ONE
1.0. INTRODUCTION
1.1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The study is a modest attempt at a lucid explication of the role of local government Nigeria. Nigeria local government system has witnessed tremendous transformation since the introduction of the local government administration. One of the changes introduced to strengthen the local government is direct payment of their statutory allocation which was increased from 15% to 20%. In addition, local government audit was established in each state government to ensure proper utilization of financial resources at local level to check any misappropriation of public funds. Also all local government now has a common structure which distinguishes 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 the see and for the interest of local community. From this point of view, the government as agent of development is well placed to the help the rural areas to develop. These can be done by investing in social and economic infrastructure such as roads, bridges, hospital, school electrification and telecommunication. The other essential duties include rural and urban supplies, markets and libraries and also places of convenience, including those extra amenities which make for better life in the community.
The regulation of handcarts on the street, community and recreation centres, parks and open spaces grazing areas and the naming of streets and numbering of building are recognized as the responsibility of local government.
They also help on controlling the parks, supply of water, electricity and provision of road, water, transport and other trading undertaking by the state government which is specifically authorized.
The local government also take care of health orientation and supply of drugs, midwifery service, to arrange for health visiting and nursing home to provide facilities for vaccination and immunization.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS
Local government is expected to become more meaningful in facilitating development at the grass root level. Central to the achievement of these objectives is the financial viability of this tier of government. This point has been subtly underscored by “Dasuk Panel” on local government administration, when it observed inter alia that a good number of local government role could not be performed at all, due to variety of reasons principal among which are;
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.