An Assessment of the Role of Local Government in National Development Planning
Chapter One
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The general objective of this study is to examine the relationship between Local Government Councils in Lagos State and national development in Nigeria. The specific objectives are as follows:
- To examine the role of Local Government Councils in Lagos State in National Development.
- To examine the extent to which the local government councils in Lagos State, promote the course of national development
- To determine how the local government councils in Lagos can aid the course of national development.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
Historical Development of Local Government Administration in Nigeria
Before the advent of British colonial administration in Nigeria, each town or village had its own system of local Government. In the North, an autocratic emirate system was divided into districts and villages. In the West, the oba was the leader assisted by the council of chief (oyomesi) which was headedby the Beshorun. There was an organized army to protect the area from external aggressions. The system looked like what was operated in the North, however the west had semi centralized system because, the obas decision was subject to approval of the oyomesi council. In the East, local government administration was carried out at village and family levels. Denga (2003: 19) observed that, there was a pre-colonial village or local administration particularly in the East that was characterized by the same practices being observed today in modern local government, example democratic principles and elements of participative governance, as demonstrated by decisions taken by village assembly. During colonial period, the colonial administration quickly recognized the importance of local participation as a base for grass root democracy, and henceforth introduced the indirect rule system so as to involve the inhabitants in the administration of their areas. The Native Authority system of Local Government Administration was introduced shortly after consolidating and properly planting the in direct rule system. The Native authority system was introduced via the native ordinance of 1916. The Native authority system actually reinforced the powers and position of the traditional rulers. During independence, the geo – political regions in what is called Nigeria operated different systems of local government Administration. The North continued with the extensive centralization of council powers. A system that gives the traditional institution absolute powers. The west introduced council manager system which emphasized the dichotomy between politics and administration. That is, the difference between policy makers and implementers. It was an element of participatory governance, because the people elect their council to take decisions on governance of their local areas. The East introduced development Administration system because of the physical damage caused as a result of the civil war, to help develop the area.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine an Assessment Of The Role Of Local Government In National Development Planning. Local government council in Lagos form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain an assessment Of the Role Of Local Government In National Development Planning. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of an assessment Of the Role Of Local Government In National Development Planning
Summary
This study was on an assessment Of the Role Of Local Government In National Development Planning. Three objectives were raised which included: To examine the role of Local Government Councils in Lagos State in National Development, to examine the extent to which the local government councils in Lagos State, promotes the course of national development and to determine how the local government councils in Lagos can aid the course of national development. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from local government council in Lagos. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
This study captioned an assessment of the role of Local Government in National Development Planning, historical development, features/ characteristics of local government administration as well as challenges of local government administration in Nigeria and possible recommendations whereas in the recommendations, the paper argued that if the local government is autonomous, and its allocations comes direct from federation account with skilled personnel, the local councils would make a conducive work place that can give job satisfaction which in turn will enhance national development.
Recommendation
The blame on local government on none performance is attributed to this lack of autonomy particularly financial and political autonomy, the local government is not autonomous because of all this directives from state institutions and the state government. Remove all these problems and set local government free and independent as a tier, let local government get its allocation direct from federation account and the Poor performance will become history. When the above is done, local government will become attractive and professionals looking for jobs at federal government will prefer to be at home, hence there will be skilled workers in the local government system and greater performance will be ensured. Local government chief executives have to prioritize what they intend to do for the benefit of the community , rather than choosing to pursue what interests them as individuals or group. Local government is governments at the grassroots’ levelwhere the inhabitants are supposed to be involved in the government of their areas. A way of involving them is to consult them, when they are properly consulted their needs will be known and pursued accordingly. The elected political officers of local government should be disciplined. Perhaps the conduct of local government elections should be returned to the Independent National Electoral Commission (I N E C) instead of state electoral bodies to avoid the incumbent governor fixing only the factions loyal to him to local government positions.
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