EVALUATION OF INTERNALLY GENERATED REVENUE ON ECONOMIC GROWTH OF LAGOS STATE 2010-2014
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the study
Revenue generation in Nigeria local governments is principally derived from tax. Tax is a compulsory levy imposed by government on individuals and companies for the various legitimate function of the state (Olaoye, 2008). Tax is a necessary ingredient for civilization. The history of man has shown that man has to pay tax in one form or the other that is either in cash or in kind, initially to his chieain and later on a form of organized government (Ojo, 2003). No system or rules can be effective whether foreign or nature unless it enjoys some measures of financial independence. Local governments in Nigeria have developed over a number of years. Historically, the development of direct taxation in local government in Nigeria can be traced the British pre-colonial period Under this period, community taxes were levied on communities (Rabiu,2004) recently the revenue that accrues to local government is derived from two broad sources, viz the external sources and the internal source An effective Local Government system rests majorly on the availability of human and material
resources which the nation could mobilize and harness for local governments development. In 1976, the Federal Military Government then issued guidelines on local governments reforms. The reforms which gave recognition to local governments as the third tier of government whereby government activities at the local level were taken care of. In 1988, another reform of local government was established. This gave a substantial and unprecedented reform of autonomy to the local governments in the country. With this autonomy, greater responsibilities devolved on the local government therefore, became a common knowledge that most of the local government are finding it difficult to cope with the present level of responsibilities.
Most state governments in Nigeria do no longer perform their responsibilities simply because of poor finances arises from internally generated revenue. The bad financial situation is further aggravated by the prevailing inflationary situation in this country which erodes the value of funds available to render essential social services to the people. Economic growth is highly associated with fund, much revenue is needed to plan, execute and maintain infrastructures and facilities at the state government level. They need revenue generated for such developmental projects like construction of accessible roads, building of public schools, health care centers, construction of bridgesamong others are sources generated from taxes, royalties, haulages, fines and
grants from states, national and international governments. Thus, state government cannot embark, execute and possibly carryout the maintenance of these projects and other responsibilities without adequate revenue generation.
