scholarly journals The State of Local Government and Service Delivery in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Aderonke Majekodunmi

Local government creates an appropriate and conduciveenvironment for the people at the local level through efficient and effective service delivery. The value of localgovernment in a country is inestimable because it is an indispensable arm of government. As a result, the link between the qualities of service that citizens enjoy is very significant. The article examines local government and effective service delivery with special reference to Nigerianlocal governments. It notes that Local government is the closest government<br />to the people at the grassroots level,so it is expected to play significant  roles in providing the social services for the people in order to improve their standard of living. But in Nigeria, the impact of local government is so far limited, especially with regard to improving service delivery. The article observes that  despite the strategic importance of local government to the development process through effective service delivery, there has not been much development in most local governments in Nigeria. The article recommends that  local governments in Nigeria need adequate autonomy that can facilitate their operations and development of the localities through effective service delivery.

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 5478-5487
Author(s):  
Renejoy M. Bulos

Local governments in the Philippines are the nearest service units to its citizens. They are expected to deliver quality services to their constituents. As recipients of the different services, citizens are deemed in better position to assess whether quality services are delivered by the different municipalities in the country. In order to address the need to gather citizens’ feedback on the service delivery performance of the local government units (LGU), the Department of Interior and Local Government developed the Citizen Satisfaction Index System (CSIS). The municipality of Tumauini in the province of Isabela is one of the selected LGUs to implement the CSIS project in the country to measure its performance in service delivery for 2018. This study assessed the awareness and satisfaction of the people in Tumauini, Isabela on the services for Public Works and Infrastructure delivered by the LGU. There were 150 respondents selected using the multi-stage probability sampling method. In gathering the data needed, face to face interview was used with the aid of survey questionnaire. Overall, results revealed that citizens of Tumauini are aware and satisfied with the different service indicators of the Public Works and Infrastructure programs. Results of the study may help local government officials in crafting policies and making management decisions to improve the performance of the local government of Tumauini in the provision and delivery of Public Works and Infrastructure services to its constituents.


Author(s):  
Alexey Chugunov

The subject of the study is theoretical and practical issues of the formation of budgets of local self-government in the system of social development of territorial communities. The purpose of the study is to reveal the priority tasks for improving the system of formation of budgets of local self-government. Research methods. The paper uses a set of scientific methods and approaches, including systematic, structural, comparative, factor methods, which allowed to realize the conceptual unity of the research. Results of work. The article reveals the role of local self-government budgets in the development of administrative-territorial units. A number of legislative and normative acts on regulation of the process of formation of budgets of local self-government are generalized. The priority tasks of the budget policy concerning support of territorial communities, strengthening of their tax capacity, increase of efficiency of coordination of activity of bodies of state power and local self-government are determined. The article is based on the establishment of an effective institutional framework for the formation of local self-government budgets in the system of social development of territorial communities. The field of application of results. System of state financial regulation, budgetary policy, budget system. Conclusions. The development of the budget system is possible by ensuring the sustainability of the formation of local government budgets in the system of social development of territorial communities, activating their innovation-investment component and strengthening the influence on the socio-economic development of administrative-territorial units. The importance of further enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the formation of local government budgets is conditioned by the need to increase the efficiency of the management of public financial resources in the conditions of their constraints, the development of a strategy for the development of local government budgets and the creation of institutional conditions for increasing their self-sufficiency, taking into account the cyclical nature of economic fluctuations and the impact of exogenous and endogenous factors in financially -budgetary environment. At this stage, the important task is to implement effective transformations of the system of forming local budgets by supporting voluntary associations of territorial communities, which necessitates the increase of efficiency and efficiency of administrative decisions of executive bodies and local governments in the field of strategic budget planning. It is advisable to improve the system of monitoring the socioeconomic efficiency of local government budget expenditures by using qualitative and quantitative indicators, introducing medium-term budget planning at the local level, adhering to the principle of transparency and accountability of local self-governance bodies to the public. Important tasks are improving the system of formation of local budgets taking into account application of modern financial-budget methods and tools; Creation of effective incentives to ensure the interest of local self-government bodies in the growth of their own income base and increase their level of responsibility for the use of budget resources; ensuring adequate revenues to local government budgets, and increasing the efficiency of the use of budget resources.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 947-951
Author(s):  
L. Thirupathi ◽  

This article attempts to evaluate the Grassroots democracy and the problems which are associated with the ineffective functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions. It argues that how constitutional provision has created a scope for accomplishing development with social justice, which is the mandate of the new Panchayat Raj system. The new system brings all those who are interested to have a voice in decision making through their participation in Panchayat Raj Institutions. How it becomes the Panchayati Raj system is the basis for the Social Justice and Empowerment of the weaker section on which the development initiative has to be built upon for achieving overall, human welfare of the society. My research paper also analyses the working status and various issues and challenges of PRIs for 26 years after the 73rd constitutional amendment establishment of panchayats and municipalities as elected local governments devolved a range of powers and responsibilities and made them accountable to the people for their implementation, very little and actual progress has been made in this direction. Local governments remain hamstrung and ineffective mere agents to do the bidding of higher-level governments. Democracy has not been enhanced despite about 32 lakh peoples representatives being elected to them every five years, with great expectation and fanfare. My study would explore the grey areas such as lack of adequate funds, domination of bureaucracy, untimely elections, lack of autonomy, the interference of area MPS and MLAs in the functioning of panchayats also adversely affected their performance.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 294
Author(s):  
Odewale, Ayotunde David ◽  
Badejo, B. T

This paper assesses the impact of local government on social service delivery in south-western Nigeria in tandem with their full constitutional responsibility particularly on primary education and road constructions. The related concepts were review. The study utilized both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected through questionnaire administration and in-depth interviews. The study revealed that local government has a significant impact on social service delivery in Southwestern Nigeria (r = 0.438, p < 0.05). The paper highlighted some recommendations and concluded that local government had performed considerably well in delivery of social service to the populace in their concurrent responsibility with the state government, but relatively low in their mandatory functions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-91
Author(s):  
Abu Elias Sarker ◽  
Faraha Nawaz

In a developing country like Bangladesh, the devolved local government system is widely recognized as one of the key institutional forms for the citizen-centric public service delivery system and ensuring democratic governance at the grassroots level. However, the democratic nature of local governments and their effective role in rendering services are contingent upon the political and institutional environments of the country. Competitive electoral process is key to local democratic governance. The purpose of this article is to analyze the implications of contemporary political order and institutional environments for the proper functioning of the Union Parishad (council), the lowest tier of the local government system in Bangladesh. More specifically, this study will reflect on how political clientelism, partyarchy and institutional environments have stymied competitive electoral politics at the local level which may result in democratic backsliding.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 435-463
Author(s):  
Yu Shi ◽  
Jingran Sun

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of natural disasters on emergency and disaster relief service (EDRS) expenditure in the governmental funds for sixty-six counties in the state of Florida between 2009 and 2013. Specifically, it will explore whether the fiscal responses of local governments in these fiscal accounts are spatially dependent by using the spatial Durbin model. It finds that EDRS expenditures in the general fund and in the special revenue fund of one county are influenced by the levels of damage in neighboring counties. This study also finds a spillover effect of intergovernmental revenues from state and federal governments on these EDRS expenditures in fiscal accounts. These results suggest that the provision of public goods (such as disaster relief activities) may generate spatial spillover at the local level in the context of US federalism. Moreover, this study highlights the importance of accounting for spatial factors in the study with respect to local jurisdictions’ fiscal reactions to natural disasters.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-99

Local government systems are considered the primary governance level in terms of democracies, though, their contribution to governance is well-established. Concerning this, the present study aims to assess the local government concerning the province of Sindh Pakistan. The focus of this study is to highlight the efficacy as well as the efficiency of the restructuring of the government office. For conducting this study, an experimental research design based on the qualitative research approach is used. The findings of the study conclude that the empowerment of the local government is closely related to the enhanced work practices and better attainment of the economic goals. It also shows that this assists in better management as well as reduction of conflict, since they are more aware of the problems. Therefore, more authority should be provided to these local governments for ensuring the welfare of the people, and Pakistan as a whole.


2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Okey Marcellus Ikeanyibe

This paper examines the conceptual contradiction between a nationally uniform local government system as constitutionally provided in Nigeria, and, the principles of governance model that is presently believed to advance the course of service delivery in government. The paper argues that the straitjacketed constitutional provisions that require every state government to establish a patterned, uniform local government system, is conflict-generating, opposed to effective management and harnessing of local differences in a highly differentiated country like Nigeria, and averse to the multi-jurisdictional principle advocated by the proponents of the governance model. The focus of the paper therefore, is to investigate the extent the prescribed uniform system of local government hinders the application of the governance model that could advance the course of service delivery at the local level. The author suggests that contrary to the constitutional provisions on the nature of local government, which autonomy is not strongly protected by the constitution, the state governments should be allowed to determine the nature and structure of local governments in their domain to reduce the abuse of the local government system and entrench competitive local government practice. This will advance the greater use of local networks in local governance.


Author(s):  
Chukwuma Chinedu Ukachukwu

This paper examines the local government practice under the federal system of government in Nigeria. It highlights the performance of local government system in Nigeria as a federal entity. It accounts for the circumstances which underline the performance of the local government system in Nigeria and the impact on its efficiency and effectiveness. The secondary method of collecting data has been adopted in this paper and data collected were subjected to further documentary analysis.  David Easton’s systems theory is employed as the theoretical framework. The findings reveal that because the practice of federalism in Nigeria has failed to take into account the heterogeneous composition of its peoples, it adopted a uniform system of local government which has failed to make impact on the people within their localities. The paper recommends enthronement of genuine and practical democratic federal cultures across the country and a fundamental review of the laws that created the Nigerian local government system with a view to evolving fewer but stronger local governments that are relatively independent, functional and adapted to meet peculiar local needs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 18-18
Author(s):  
Haley Gallo ◽  
Kelly Marnfeldt ◽  
Adria Navarro ◽  
Kathleen Wilber

Abstract As the older adult population grows and Federal funding remains stagnant, coordination of services at the local level becomes more critical. Building on the Federal Administration for Community Living model, California’s Master Plan for Aging creates opportunities for innovative restructuring of the way aging services are delivered through the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). We conducted a comparative case study of California AAAs (N=5) representing different levels of integration, from standalone departments of aging (Los Angeles City, Riverside County), to partial integration (Los Angeles County), to full integration with aging and disability programs (San Diego County, San Francisco County). We examined the impact of departmental organization and integration on the AAAs’ service delivery for older adults. Interviews with leaders of the AAAs were coded by two researchers using constant comparative analysis to identify themes within and between the AAAs. Emerging themes revealed the role that “structure,” “politics,” “funding,” and “visibility” play in service delivery for AAAs with varying levels of integration. Findings suggest that integrating the AAA with other departments (i.e., Health and Human Services) and programs (e.g., Adult Protective Services, In-Home Supportive Services) improves coordination and allows for greater visibility of the AAA. Key stakeholders in standalone AAAs, however, fear that integration would hinder their visibility and “agility” in service provision. Findings shed light on best practices for locally coordinated aging service delivery during a window of opportunity for California AAAs, yet they can also inform how aging services are provided for local governments nationwide.


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