Local Government administration

Structure

Local government may be defined as a government established through an Act at the local level to deal with specific matters as it affects them. It can also be defined as the sub-organ of the central government established to provide for the needs of the people at local level. Under the 1963 republican constitution, local government authorities were created mainly to deal with matters of local concern, e.g. markets, feeder, roads, motor parks, etc. The essence of local government creation is to involve local participation in the affairs of the country.

The evolution of local government system in Nigeria could be traceable to the Great Britain municipalities’ form of local government. This system which was introduced in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu, etc had similar responsibilities with that obtainable in Britain.

This is a multiple system of local government that operated before the 1976 local government reforms. After the Second World War, local government councils gradually replaced indirect rule system of the native authority and law making became relatively easy even when most of the native authorities were set up.

Functions of Local Government

1. Local government maintains law and order in its locality.
2. It collects rates and levies.
3. It provides and supervises primary education.
4. It provides and maintains health centres.
5. It provides urban transportation.
6. It provides and maintains customary courts.

Sources of Finance for Local Governments

1. The national assembly: They make provision for statutory allocation of public revenue.
2. House of assembly of a state: They make provision for statutory allocation of public revenue to local government councils.
3. Grants: They receive grants from both central and state governments for special projects.
4. Collection of rates: Revenues are equally generated through collection of rates on electronics and market stalls.
5. Commercial ventures: Some local government are involved in commercial ventures like transportation.
6. Payment of fines: Fines are paid by those that have offended the rules and regulations.

Problems of Local Government

1. Acute shortage of funds to operate.
2. There is problem of corruption and mismanagement of fund.
3. Some officials demand bribery before performing their functions.
4. Party politics often cause friction among the elected councillors.
5. The incentive to work is low leading to poor attitude of local government staff.
6. Some officials use their positions to grant undue favour to their friends and families, e.g. award of contracts.

Suggested Solutions to Problems of Local Government

1. There should be improvement on method of revenue generation.
2. Most of the workers should be given the opportunity to further their training in local administration.
3. Provision of adequate fund to the local government.
4. Auditing should be done regularly to enhance efficient financial management.
5. The activities of local government not be politically motivated.
6. There should be more avenues for revenue generation.

 1976 Local Government Reforms In Nigeria

The 1976 reforms of local government changed the multiple system of local government to a single tier all-purpose local government. All the local governments were made the third tier of government after the central and state government.

Features of 1976 Local Government reforms in Nigeria

1. Introduction of uniform system of local government.
2. Federal government became directly involved in the local government administration.
3. Introduction of service board/ commission in all states.
4. Appointment of full time chairmen and supervisory councilors.
5. Federal and state governments were made to give grants to local governments.
6. Majority of local councilors were to be elected on a three-year basis as the term of office.
7. Traditional rulers were excluded from the local government council.

Role of Traditional Rulers in Local Government

1. Ministerial appointment: Some of them were appointed as ministers without port folio.
2. Legislation: They were also appointed into the second chamber in the regional law-making body.
3. President of customary courts; Some of the traditional rulers were appointed presidents of customary courts.
4. The tyranny of the first chamber: House of chiefs acted as a check to arbitrary acts of the upper chamber.
5. Representation of the grassroots: The traditional rulers were seen as the representatives of the people at the grassroots.
6. Acted as a link: They are seen as a link between the people and the government.

Exercises

1. Define Local government.
2. List six (6) functions of Local Government in Nigeria.
3. How are local governments funded in Nigeria?
4. Explain the features of the 1976 Local Government Reforms in Nigeria.