THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY IN FCT, ABUJA

THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY IN FCT, ABUJA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Local government is the third level of government deliberately created to bring government to the grass-roots population and gives the grass-roots population a sense of involvement in the political processes that control their daily lives. Democracy denotes a political system in which the eligible people participate actively not only in determining who governs them, but also in shaping the policy output of their government. The composition of a government is usually determined in free and fair elections supervised by an impartial body.

The existence of local government has always been defended on the basis that it is a crucial aspect of the process of democratization and intensification of mass participation in the decision-making process. No political system is considered complete and democratic if it does not have a system of local government. Local government serves a two-fold purpose. The first purpose is the administrative purpose of supplying goods and services; the other purpose is to represent and involve citizens in determining specific local public needs and how these local needs can be met.

Local representative government is a process that spans and connects representation and administration at local levels within local government structures. In order to understand the function and structure of local government, it is important to define local government and understand the meaning of local government democracy and values.

With these aspects of local government in mind, attention will be directed towards the typical structure of local government as the administrative structure of local government forms the basic framework where in local public policy is determined and implemented. Therefore attention will be directed to the composition of councils and their activities.

Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible are meant to participate equally either directly or through elected representatives, indirectly in the proposal development and establishment of the laws by which their society is run. In most modern democracies, the whole body of eligible citizens remain the sovereign power but political power is exercised indirectly through elected representative.

The local government system has been a major feature of Nigeria government and politics since colonial rule over the years, there have been changes in name structure and composition, while the system was operated differently all over the country (Agagu, 2004). The effective implementation of democratic values requires councillors and officials with integrity, which in turn demands fairness, reasonableness and honesty. Social equity may also demand that local government development should take place in such a manner that the rule of law will prevail (Cloete, 1993: 24 – 25). In view of the above therefore, this study examine the role of local government in the development of Democracy in FCT Abuja.

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The effectiveness of democracy and local government are meant to bring about grassroots development, but are still hampered by some constraints which do not allow the manifestation of the purpose of their establishment. This includes poor representation, election malpractices, corruption and mismanagement of funds, Unskilled workers, shortage of personnel among others. This study is focused on the constraints facing the proper democratic functioning of the establishment of local government to attract the lives of people at the grass root level. Proper representation, equitable distribution of wealth among citizens, social and economic development etc. which form part of the hall mark of adopting democracy are not realized. Also, grass root development, provision of social service in the local government are being affected.

1.3     OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The general objective of this study is examine the role of local government in the development of democracy in FCT Abuja; particularly Gwagwalada Area Council.

The specific objectives of the study include:

1. To look at the level of development in Gwagwalada Area Council
2. To look into the level at which democracy has brought development in Gwagwalada Area Council
3. To look into the militating factors against the development of Gwagwalada Area Council
4. To offer a pragmatic solution to the problems of development in Gwagwalada Area Council.

1.4     RESEARCH QUESTIONS

As the means of carrying out the research, the role of local government in the development of democracy in FCT, Abuja, Gwagwalada Area Council.

These research questions will serve as guide to the researcher in the course of this project work.

1. Does democracy as the system of government promote political participation at the grassroot level?
2. What are the benefit in participating in political activities at the grassroot level?
3. Does democracy brings about political equality among the poor masses?
4. What are the planning and arrangement to involve in participating in the development of democracy at the grassroot level?
5. Does local government has any role of democracy development at the grass root in FCT Abuja?

1.5     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study will help a lot of people to understand the importance of democracy and local government as a role of democracy development at the grassroot level. It will also form part of the data bank in this area for future research work and when ever is successfully completed.

1.6     Scope Of The Study

The research work is particularly concerned with the role of local government in the development of democracy in Nigeria. It covers the entire participation of Gwagwalada Area Council in democracy development at the grass root. Equally, most of the reference were selected from the year (1999 to 2020). This is to enable the researchers have up to date frame work of the topic treated.

The research work has however faced the problems of inadequate research data in these oral interview (respondents were afraid of the likely implication of their minds as much as they should.

Also, apart from the limited time of the research and the large scope of the research which covers the entire Gwagwalada Area Council, the amount voted was exhausted and the researcher had to supplement to enhance the research work to be complete.

1.6.1  ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

The organization of the research work is based on the table of contents.

Chapter one deals with introduction/background of the study, statement of the problems, objectives of the study, significance of the study, scope and limitations of the study, research questions, organization of the work and definition of terms.

Chapter two is on literature review, introduction, history, growth and development of local government in Nigeria, concept of local government, concept of grass root democracy, role of local government in democracy development, objectives of local government in democracy development and democratic development in Gwagwalada Area Council.

Chapter three deals with the population of the study, sample size, sources of data collection, method of data collection and method of data analysis. Chapter four deals with data presentation and analysis and finally, Chapter five deals with summary, conclusion and recommendations.

1.7     DEFINITION OF TERMS

In order to fully grasp the subject matters of this project, certain key terms which would be regularly used need to be defined.

Democracy: Democracy is ‘’government by leaders whose authority is based on a limited mandate from a universal electorate that selects among genuine alternatives and has some rights to political participation and opposition. (Danliger 1998, 159).

Local Government: Local government is a form of public administration which in a majority of contexts, exist as the lowest tier of administration within a given state. The term is used to contrast with offices at state leve, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or (where appropriate) federal government and also to super national government which deals with governing institutions between states. Local government generally act within powers delegated to them by legislation or directives of the higher level of government.

In federal, state, local government generally comprises the third tier of government, were as in unitary states, local government usually occupies the second or third tier of the government, often with greater powers than higher level administrative divisions.

DEVELOPMENT:

In the economic study of the public sector, economic and social development is the process by which the economic well-being and quality of life of a nation, region, local community, or an individual are improved according to targeted goals and objectives.

The term has been used frequently in the 20th and 21st centuries, but the concept has existed in the West for far longer. “Modernization“, “Westernization“, and especially “industrialization” are other terms often used while discussing economic development.

Whereas economic development is a policy intervention aiming to improve the well-being of people, economic growth is a phenomenon of market productivity and increases in GDP; economist Amartya Sen describes economic growth as but “one aspect of the process of economic development”. Economists primarily focus on the growth aspect and the economy at large, whereas researchers of community economic development concern themselves with socioeconomic development as well.

GRASSROOT

Grass is defined as people at a local or low level rather than at the center or upper levels of an organization or movement. A grassroots movement is one that uses the people in a given district, region or community as the basis for a political or economic movement. Grassroots movements and organizations use collective action from the local level to effect change at the local, regional, national or international level.

THE IMPACT OF REVENUE GENERATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA

THE IMPACT OF REVENUE GENERATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA

(A CASE STUDY OF TOTO LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF NASARAWA STATE)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the Study

Local government is recognized by the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the third tier of government within the tripartite federal structure of governance in Nigeria, with the state and federal government as the super ordinate government. The government in Nigeria which exists at tripartite arrangement (federal, state and local government) plays complimentary roles to each other to meet the needs of the people which include infrastructural facilities (Okpata 2004).

Furthermore, local government is seen as a public sector organization, the third tier government with assigned functions and responsibilities, administrative structure and financial management both for maintaining itself and rendering it’s statutory assigned functions to it’s citizens (Uguru 2011). Local government authorities as a third tier of government in Nigeria are very important in the execution of both central and component government policies and programmes. It is the nearest government that deals with the problems of the masses of the country, especially the grassroots.

One area which has remained neglected over time by the local governments in Nigeria is revenue generation. The usual practice in this country (Nigeria) is that political parties and individual candidates often make promises to the electorate during electioneering campaigns without being explicit on how they intend to finance such programmes. In line with this practice, candidates seeking political offices often promise vote-catching programmes with scarcely any attention to the question of funding (Fajobi, 2010). The result is that ordinary citizens may witness very little government activities and the impact of the government will be felt in almost all sphere. This may lead to disappointment. It is quite obvious that very little thought, if any, is given to how funds were to be generated to implement the various programmes promised to the electorates.

Local governments across the country are particularly guilty in this respect. Chairmen complain of their inability to meet their wage bills with the current level of the local government finances. Chief executive often tries without success to slash the wages of their workers while others may resort to staff retrenchment in order to save money to implement programmes.

Fajobi (2010) argued that the acute dearth of fund currently facing the local government could be squarely attributed to lack of creativity on the part of the local government in seeking alternative sources to complement the allocation from the Federation Account. Most local governments are suffering from hang-over of overdependence on the centre for assistance, a norm during the military governance. They are yet to break away from the practice of relying almost entirely on extension from the Federal Government. The federal government, in turn also depends entirely on revenue from oil and its apportionment of the lion’s share of the Federation Account to itself. Local government will continue to be one of the prime institutional movers of development in Nigeria and their importance and impact on the daily life of citizens cannot be over-emphasized. People are intimately affected by the activities of local government on a day to-day basis and Nigeria, in particular, local governments, have historically provided services of importance to citizens, literally from cradle to grave. The standard of living of Nigerians either in rural or urban areas are inevitably affected by local government activities through the provision or non provision of basic services such as water supply, roads, health and educational services etc. Local governments also remain the focal point of promotion of development and cultural revival through community development projects and mobilization of human and material resources for developments. It is on the basis on the foregoing that this study will be focused on the impact of revenue generation in local government administration in Nigeria: a case study of Toto Local Government of Nasarawa State.

1.2     Statement of the Problem

Obviously, the internally generated revenue in Nigeria Local Government is far below expectation. It has become imperative to diversify areas of revenue generation especially with the dwindling federation allocation which has been the major sources of revenue to the local government. Since inadequate revenue remains one of the devastating challenges hindering effective local government administration in the country, it then necessitated the general outcry by the administrators (chairmen) of local government for a change in Revenue Allocation Formula or strategies for improving revenue generation in the development of their respective local government areas.

Again, the problem of seeing local governments as a mere appendage to the state and federal government financially has beclouded the patriotic and entrepreneurship psyches of local government administrators, hence most local government tilted financially to the federal government for monthly statutory allocation from the federation account. This problem of economic and financial overdependence of the local government in Nigeria is devastating, uncalled for and against the motives for the creation of local government as the third tier. Furthermore, the inability of the local administrators to use in-sourcing techniques for funds to finance the council through internally generated revenue is a thorn in the flesh of meeting up their constitutional responsibilities such as the provision and maintenance of social services (education and health care) payment of the worker’s salary and so have given rise to whether to scrap or restructure local government systems in Nigeria. It is in line with the above problematic scenario that this research is motivated to carry out an empirical analysis on the impact of revenue generation in local government administration in Nigeria with particular reference to Toto local government area of Nasarawa state.

1.3     Objectives of the Study

The broad objective of this study is to examine the impact of revenue generation in local government administration in Nigeria: A case study of Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. Hence; the following specific objectives will be actualized:

1. To identify the source of revenue for local government administration in Nigeria.
2. To ascertain the various challenges surrounding revenue generation for development in Toto Local Government of Nasarawa State.
3. To evaluate the impact of revenue generation on the development of Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

1.4     Research Questions

In line with the objectives of the study, the following research questions will pilot the study:

1. What are the various source of revenue for local government administration in Nigeria?
2. What are the challenges of revenue generation for development in Toto Local Government of Nasarawa State?
3. What are the impact of revenue generation on the development of Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

1.5     Significance of the Study

The primary importance of this study is that it examine the impact of revenue generation in local government administration in Nigeria with particular references to Toto Local government of Nasarawa State. This will in essence be of great significance to local government administrators, students of public administration and other related departments, other researchers, the state and federal government as strategy can be replicated.

1.6     Scope of the Study

The focus of this study is to examine the impact of revenue generation in Local Government Administration in Nigeria with particular reference to Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

1.7 Limitations of the Study

This research admits its short-comings or limitations. It is a mark of intellectual honesty to admit that limitations did exist in a research undertaking and to give an account of the way they have been manifested and taken care of. This will enable future investigators to have an idea of what militating factors to look out for and possibly to take care of them. The basic limitations of the study are: financial inadequacies, time factor, the uncooperative attitude of some respondents and scanty resource materials on the subject under investigation.

Finance: Limitation of financial resources, coupled with other pressing personal demands militated against the researcher’s efforts to cover a wider geographical area. The researcher had to spend so much to download materials from the internet. This was however ameliorated through parental assistance and the adoption of cost saving techniques during the course of the study.

Time Factor: Time lag was also a major constraint because the research was carried out within a given time-frame. This work was carried out in an environment where the researcher had to battle with lectures, assignments, class work and sourcing for materials for the study. However, the researcher made tremendous efforts to cover adequate issues in order to give value to the findings of the study.

Uncooperative Attitude of Some Respondents: In the course of carrying out this study, some respondents were reluctant to accept and fill their questionnaire. However, the researcher discovered that their main purpose for being reluctant was because of fear of private information disclosure. The researcher however convinced them that every information will be treated with the highest level of privacy.

Scanty Resources Materials: One of the major hindrances of the study was scanty materials on the strategies of increasing and improving revenue generation for development. Very few journals, government and newspapers publications exist. Hence, the researcher resorted to the available publications and content analysis in order to beef up the content of the work.

1.8     Operational Definition of Terms

Local Government: This is defined as Government at the local level exercised through representative council established by law to exercise specific powers within defined areas.

Revenue: In the context of this study, revenue is defined as the fund required by the government to finance its activities.

Strategy: In this study, this is defined as a systematic proposed way to achieve a particular aim or objective.

Development: This is defined as the multidimensional expansion in the economic, political and behavioral attitudes of a particular community, state or country.

Internally Generated Revenue: This refers to the revenue or money collected by the local government from its internal sources (within the Local Government Area). The internal sources of revenue comprise many major and miscellaneous items aggregated to provide the required fund for financing the enormous functions ascribed to local government as third tier of government.