1st Term
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Local
government may be defined as a government established through an Act of
parliament at the local level to deal with specific matters as it affects them.
Under the 1963 Republican constitution, local government authorities were created
mainly to deal with matters of local concern. Local governments are created
through a document called Instrument. Like corporate bodies, a local government
can sue and be sued because they are legal entities. There are 3 tiers of
government, namely federal, state and local governments. Local government is
the third tier of government. Examples of local governments in Nigeria include
Aniocha North LGA, Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA etc.
Reasons for the creation of local
government
(1.) To bring government nearer the people
(2) to encourage local participation
in politics (3) to bring about even
development across the country (4)
To meet the peculiar need of the people (5)
to serve as agents of the federal or state government (6) To create employment (7)
as a means of training up-comers that will handle the state and federal
governments in future.
Types of local government
(1.) County (2.) Municipal
Functions of local government
The
local government is allowed to legislate on matters in the residual list. E.g. market,
primary school, Motor Park, etc. The following are the functions
(1.) To name streets (2.) to provide healthcare centers (3.) to provide recreational centers (4.) to build and regulate markets, motor parks, primary schools,
public toilets etc. (5.) to
construct and maintain feeder roads (6.)
to register birth, death and marriages in their jurisdiction (7.) to issue license for things like
TV, radio etc. (8.) to make and
implement bye laws. (9.) to assist
the higher tiers of government
Problems of local government
(1.) Shortage of trained personnel (2.) insufficient fund (3.) interference by state and federal
government (4.) bribery and
corruption (5.) strife between the
different parties at local and state levels (6.) Low incentive to local government workers (7.) Tribalism in terms of appointment, promotion and discipline.
Structure and sources of finance/fund
(1.) Allocation from the federation
accounts (2.) state or federal
government grant (3.) imposition of
levy (4.) collection of rents and
rates (5.) proceeds from local
government owned commercial ventures (6.)
Fines paid by defaulters of bye-laws (7.)
State government allocation (8.)
court fines (9.) Royalties from
companies (10) Donations and gifts
from individuals and corporate organizations
Relationship between local government,
state and federal government
1.
Its
creation by act of parliament: it is the federal government that
creates the local government. Thus, the local government relates with the
federal government as its creator
2.
Power to
make bye-laws: it is the federal government that empowers the local government to
make bye-laws. Such laws are subject to federal government ratification
3.
Sustenance
through allocation: the local government also relates with both
the state and the federal governments as its sustainer since the bulk of its
revenue comes from the allocations received from them.
4.
Accountability: the local
government is accountable to the federal government as its officials can be
called upon to give account of how its funds are being administered. The state
and central government can even send auditors to audit the accounts of the
local government.
5.
Control: the state
and central governments have diverse ways of controlling the local government,
namely: through court order, through approval or disapproval of loans, projects
or bye-laws etc.
6.
Dissolution: the state
government has the power to dissolve the local government council and appoint a
caretaker committee to see to the affairs of the local government pending the
election of new council members.
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