The Impact of Poor Revenue Generation on the Development of Local Government Areas. (A Case Study of Afikpo North Local Government)
Chapter One
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The broad objective of the research is to evaluate the impact created by poor revenue generation on the development of Afikpo North in Ebonyi State. The other objective of the study includes:
- To determine the level of modern social amenities available in Afikpo North.
- To find out the level of poverty association with the rural people as a result of poor development.
- To find out the degree of rural-urban migration.
- To make useful suggestion to solve the problem of poor revenue generation as development depends on revenue generated.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELAYED LITERATURE
DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN NIGERIA
The evolution of local government in Nigeria has under gone alots of changes. These are all geared towards making the local government a system that could serve the purposes for which they are created, before the emergence of the British Colonial/ Administration; various communities in Nigeria were governed through the instrumentality of their traditional political Institutions. These institutions were anchored on the people’s habits of thought, prestige and custom which are adapted to meet the new conditions for general development of their areas.
Local authorities were empowered to charge and collect developmental rates based on a certain percentage of the income of the rate payers. The council enjoyed the social autonomy of providing certain social services to the community, for instance the local government was vested with the responsibility of healthcare services delivery with the transfer of primary healthcare delivery system.
In the 1950s, election was introduced according to the British model in the western and eastern parts of the country with some measure of autonomy in financial, general administration and in personnel which gave rise to tide of progress, growth and development experienced in the local government.
Prior to this period, the British introduced native courts chaired by Chiefs, native treasuries where taxes collected from people were paid in for use by the local government. Native authorities were created with traditional rulers at the head of each authority. The traditional rulers continued to dominate local government’s administration until the military took over power. In 1966, from then the powers of the traditional rulers, especially in the northern region, reduced gradually. The newly created states in the Northern region increased popular participation in local government administration. Larger local authorities were broken to smaller ones and native authorities were changed to local governments.
The local government reform of 1976 provided the guidelines for local governments in Nigeria. The reform created large-sized local government areas throughout the federation based on a certain minimum population requirements, these results in uniform local government areas. The federal government for the first time was involved in the funding of local governments. The local government gets statutory percentages share of Federation accounts and state revenue. The local government was made a third tier of government, which means the local government has its own powers. There were about 301 local government councils as at 1976.
In 1986, the Babangida Administration made local government an effective third tier of federal system, introduced reforms aimed at enhancing their autonomy and strengthening their administrative framework. All elected councilors now constitute legislative arm of the local government which the executive arm consists of the chairman and vice-chairman and supervisory councils.
The local government witnessed several reforms between 1991 to 1992. the reforms snows a fundamental implications for local government administration, especially in regard to the reforms to the local government service. 589 local government areas were in existence as of 1991 local government reforms and there was establishment of the executive chairmanship of local government with functions firmly entrenched in schedule four of the constitution.
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 the Impact of Poor Revenue Generation on the Development of Local Government Areas. Afikpo North Local Government forms 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 the Impact of Poor Revenue Generation on the Development of Local Government Areas. (a Case Study of Afikpo North Local Government). 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 the Impact of Poor Revenue Generation on the Development of Local Government Areas.
Summary
This study was on the Impact of Poor Revenue Generation on the Development of Local Government Areas. Three objectives were raised which included; To determine the level of modern social amenities available in Afikpo North, to find out the level of poverty association with the rural people as a result of poor development, to find out the degree of rural-urban migration and to make useful suggestion to solve the problem of poor revenue generation as development depends on revenue generated. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from selected Afikpo North local government. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
In the research, it is clear that poor revenue generation by local government in Nigeria have affected the spread of development to all the nooks and crannies of the country. Thus local government councils and their management should strategically plan on proper measures to generate revenue as to meet with their functions as provided by the constitution of the country.
This will enhance their financial ability to implement their constitutional functions or responsibilities to the rural peoples.
Recommendation
These facilities provided by Afikpo North Local government should be of high quality by doing this; the people’s interest will be geared towards giving their maximum support to the government which will lead to the development of the area.
There should be constant campaign and awareness programme within Afikpo North local Government to enlighten the rural peoples on the benefits of prompt payment of taxes to the government as when due, it will go a long way in improving the revenue generation.
The local government should embark on the establishment of small scale industries which will provide employment opportunities for the youths in the rural area to tackle the problem of rural-urban migration.
There should be improvement and development with agricultural sector, such improvement will encourage participation of the rural people within Afikpo north local government which will improve their standard of living of the people.
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