Effects of Local Government Administration on Socio-Economic Development

Effects of Local Government Administration on Socio-Economic Development

ABSTRACT

This research work is on effective local government administration as a means for socio-economic development of Nigeria. It was discovered that, effective local government system is very essential for the socio-economic development of Nigeria. Also, the findings revealed that local government administration remains the best means of reaching out to the people at the grassroots level given its closeness as well as immediate responses to the needs of the rural people. That local government administration is really a training ground for future political leaders is a welcome assertion.

From the perception of those calling for the scrapping of local government administration there is no justification as only a meager percentage supported the idea, while the larger percentage of respondents from the study hold a contrary opinion. This means that, the idea of calling for the scrapping of local government system from the nation administrative and political history is a mischievous one. The ideal thing is where lapses are noticed, necessary adjustment could be made to improve on their service delivery.  Local government system has been accepted worldwide as a necessity.

Essentially, the need for the existence of local government has been argued before, is to enhance efficient administration of the practicing states. This imperative is informed by a combination of many factors, two of which will suffice for this discourse growing population and increase in social challenges presently, Nigerian population is estimated to be above 140 million people.  In this way, local government will continue to assume a position of National State and Local concern. It will continue to play the political role as the closest government to the masses, and as a bridge between the local people and other levels of government. A further implication of this is that, as a product of the constitution, neither the federal nor the state government can revoke a local government. The only extreme decision these levels of government can take is to dissolve the councils of local government. Otherwise any existence will be seen as unconstitutional, ultra vires and of no effects.  

Effects of Local Government Administration on Socio-Economic Development

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Local government in Nigeria is generally regarded as an effective instrument for the development of the communities within its domain and for provision of social services for the local population. The essential function of local government is regarded as provision of services (Chadwick, 2019). Its closeness to the local population makes it to be in a better position to provide essential services for more efficiency than other levels of government. This closeness to the people at the grassroots as well as its pivotal role in national development has made local government the focus of every successive government in Nigeria and has warranted its unrivalled reforms as far as institutional reforms is concerned.

The practice of local government administration is to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of the local government level under representative officials, since it has been generally agreed that no central government can satisfactorily conduct administration wholly from the capital through the civil servants based at the headquarters. It logically follows, therefore, that there is need for a form of decentralization such that it will enable the government to reach out to the people at the grassroots level.  Local government administration assists in socio-economic development in the area of support of local communities and provision of local market ad primary health care center

It is important to assert that before now, different forms of local administration and organization in Nigeria existed. But one important fact is that the first attempt of bringing about a unified form of local government reforms which brought about the first democratically elected local government councils nation-wide and granted them financial autonomy and a statutory recognition as the third tier of government. In fact, the year 1976, is historic and pivotal in the evolution and development administration and finances in Nigeria.

But the recent calls from some quarters for its scrapping from the Nigeria political system coupled with problems of inefficiency associated with it have been a course for concern which warranted the choice of the topic “Local Government as means for Socio-Economic Transformation of Nigeria. Attempt will be made here to unveil how local government became an institution for the socio-economic transformation in Nigeria.

1.2       Statement of Problem

The local government serves as a form of political and administrative structure facilitating decentralization, national integration, efficiency in governance, and a sense of belonging at the grassroots. The local government is a unit of administration all over the world (Agagu, 2014). Local government has been the root of development in terms of dealings with the people which democracy is centred upon. Hence, local government is visibly seen as co-agent of rural development and as partners in progress with both states and federal governments in rural developments. To this end, this study sets out to investigate the impact of local government administration on socio-economic development in the study area.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The general purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of local government administration on socio-economic development in Akpabuyo local government area of Cross river state. Specifically, the study seeks to specifically, the study seeks to:

1. Examine the role of Local Government Administration in socio-economic Development.
2. Examine the problem Associated with Local Government Administration.
3. Examine the measures suggested for Proper Administration of Local Government.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions were raised to guide the study.

1. Does Local Government Administration promote socio-economic Development?
2. What are the Problems militating against the effective administration of the local government?
3. What measures can be suggested for proper administration of local Government?

Effects of Local Government Administration on Socio-Economic Development

1.5 Significance of the Study

            This study is hinged on the following significance:-

1. It serves as a means of identifying the importance of local government administration in the area of providing socio-economic services to the rural people.
2. It equally serves as a means towards integrating the various ethnic, culture and differing value systems among different people.
3. It is very strategic in identifying and training future political leaders in the earth of governance.
4. It equally avail us the opportunity to know the feelings and believe of local people on the need and suitability of local government.
5. It enhances grassroots mobilization for the nation’s development.
6. It will equally avail us the opportunity to identify problems that hamper rural development.

1.6 Scope of the Study

Due to time and financial constraints, the research work covers just the Local Government area of the case study.       .