CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Nigeria as federation operates a three tiers system of government: Federal, state and local government. The federal government known as the government of Nigeria has authority and responsibility of governing the territories {though it usually delegates this role to elected territorial governments}.
At the state level, there are State Governments, such as the Kwara State Government. This level of government has its own political institution and leaders as well as its own jurisdiction {which are provided for under the Nigeria constitution}: such as health care, education, transportation and civil rights Finally, there is the local government which people often refer to as local administration {Awofeso, 2004} and others are of the view that local government should be eradicated. However, this level usually has responsibility over policy field directly related to local communities, such as protection of lives and properties, public utilities, local social- welfare services, parks: recreation and culture. Moreover, like the other levels of government in Nigeria, local government has their own political leaders and institution such as councilors, chairmen and the likes.
Therefore, then main focus of this study is however on the third tier of government, that is, the local government and it must be noted that Nigeria has 774 recognized local government {Nigeria 1999 constitution}. The constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria refers to the third tier of government as the system of local government by democratically elected local government councils. The government of every state is accordingly responsible for their establishment structure, composition, finance and function.
In addition to the above, the Nigeria federal government in the world perhaps in addition to Brazil {Erero, 1998} that have elevated local government to a third tier of government. By so doing the state government do not exercise absolute control over the local government {Imhanlahimi and Ikeanyibe, 2009}.
In view of this and due to the importance of the third tier of Government to the people at the grassroots level, my study shall focus on Local Government autonomy in Nigeria with Oyun Local Government of Kwara State as a case study.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Local government is expected to enjoy the freedom of actions to enable! it operate and perform its constitutional function unfiltered to energy sustainable national development from the grassroots but in contrary, the Nigeria local government is seriously faced with inadequate autonomy to perform effectively.
For instance the introduction of the so-called Joint Account Policy between the State Government when was the beginning of the erosion of the financial independence of local councils. This arrangement is skewed against the local government. It puts them at the mercy of the governors who decide what projects and the contractors to execute them for the local government. A Local Government Chairman cannot decide his own project according to the needs and principle of his people. Most governors deliberately undermine the chairmen by staving them of funds. In the fact they only give them money for salaries but maintain the monopoly on contract awards: the poor chairman is left with the burden of rubber stamping project he did not initiate (Garba; 2011}. Nevertheless the State Government is constitutionally empowered to remove local government chairman and put in place a care-taker (Davies, 2012} and this as contributed to the problem combating the freedom of action of Local Government in Nigeria, most especial in Kwara State and which as led to the controlling of the Local Government by the state government . Others challenges includes: grand corruptions and fledging democracy {Imhanlahimi and Ikeayibe, 2009}.
1.3 Research Questions
- What are the reasons for lack of local government autonomy?
- What are the major forms of control of local government?
- What are the factors inhibiting against their performance and the solution to such problem?
1.4 Objectives of Study
The main objective of the study is to examine the reason for lack of local government autonomy in Nigeria, taking Oyun Local Government as a case study. The specific objectives are:
- To examine the extent of the autonomy as well as the factors inhibiting the effectiveness of local government autonomy and the forms of control.
- To make appropriate recommendation that will/ may assist to improve local government autonomy in Nigeria.
