Local government autonomy and development of localities in Nigeria: issues, problems and suggestions

Abstract

The topical issue of local government (LG) autonomy in Nigeria in relation to the development of the localities, the raison d'etre of LGs, has been examined in this paper. Proceeding from theoretical framework and conceptualizations for clearer understanding, the paper discusses some dominant autonomy issues. These include representative LGs, the size of LGs, revenue, and personnel. The paper found that inadequate handling of virtually all the above issues has posed some challenges for LGs' developmental efforts in the localities. Inadequate autonomy has been found to be the independent variable in the challenges. Other challenges include inadequate finances, weak intergovernmental relations, fledging democracy and grand corruption. These must be adequately tackled for LGs to make more positive impact in the localities. Some pertinent recommendations are as follows. LGs need adequate autonomy, hard work rather than verbal institutionalization, democratic consolidation, reduced corruption, increased discipline and application of the rule of law. Introduction The definition of local government (LG) by the Nigerian Federal Government leaves one with no iota of doubt that it is largely both theoretically sound and service oriented to the people. It talks of representative councils with substantial control over local affairs, for the provision of services and implementation of projects in their areas, to complement the activities of both the State and Federal governments. The definition also amply recognizes the need for LG autonomy as the substantial control of local governments (LGs) is aimed at staff, institutional and financial matters, among others (Nigeria, 1976). In addition to the above, the Nigerian Federal Government is one of the few governments in the world perhaps in addition to Brazil (Erero 1998) that have elevated LGs to a third tier of government. By so doing, the State governments do not exercise absolute controls over LGs. As we shall also observe later, there are many checks and balances that have been formulated by the Nigerian Federal Government, to facilitate the effective operations of the local government councils (LGCs). Some of such checks and balances are guaranteed existence of LGs in section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, financial allocation from the Federation account and involvement of LGs in economic planning of the State governments (Nigeria 1999a). In spite of the said establishment of the twin relationship of LG autonomy and the service and development rationale of the LGs in Nigeria, the latter, as shall be shown below, are full of stories of woes about their problems. These are largely hinged on inadequate autonomy especially in vital areas such as staff and institutional management and development, as well as financial matters, etc. which greatly hinder their development efforts in their localities. The above paradoxical situation is what this paper has examined, to find out the missing links between LG autonomy and the development of the localities in Nigeria. The missing links are important for identification. This is because as we have stated earlier, the encouraging documentary provisions on LG autonomy and the rationale for the LG system in Nigeria are hinged on the provision of services and development projects in the localities. Specifically, the paper carefully, critically and objectively examines operational definitions, resource allocations, and development and opinion of the people expressed through the print media about the impact of the LGs in their areas. And of course, germane recommendations which emanate from the study are provided for the improvement of LG autonomy and the development of the localities. Both the bench work and content analysis of the people's opinion expressed in the mass media are approaches that have been adopted in this paper. A careful, logical and rather detailed analysis of existing general literature and government publications on LG autonomy and development of their localities constitutes part of the bench work. The government publications include those of the Federal Office of Statistics (now renamed National Bureau of Statistics-NBS), and annual reports of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Also utilized are some performance indicators of LGs. In addition, content analysis of the opinions of the people on LGs' performance in the localities was also undertaken.