LocalGovt. Research working Papers.

LocalGovt.    Research     working Papers.

These are  training manual for local government administrators, community based organizations, NGOs, activists and policy makers, interested in improving good governance on the local level in Nigeria. The objectives of this manual are (1) to enable local government administrators to appreciate their roles as developmental agents and to enable them harness the various resources at their disposal to bring about meaningful grassroots development; (2) to help various interest groups and grassroots constituencies reach an understanding of issues in local government administration; (3) to assist political actors, community organizations and grassroots people in the context of their dealings with the local government; and (4) to help every stakeholder to develop action plans for the local government in their respective areas. The manual is intended to be used as training material for seminars and workshops, as a reference guide as well as advocacy material in public enlightenment and discourses.
Researchers and students can find the work papers useful for their project development.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 Boosting Internally Generated Revenue of Local
Governments in  Nigeria [Ogun state LGs as case studies]

2 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION & DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA------by Olisa Agbakoba SAN & Hilary Ogbonna
(A Capacity Building Manual)

3  Local Government Administration and the Challenges of Rural Development in Nigeria

4  LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY AND DEVELOPMENT OF LOCALITIES IN NIGERIA: ISSUES, PROBLEMS AND SUGGESTIONS

5  Repositioning the Local Government System for Sustainable Development through Constitution Review”
TEXT OF LECTURE DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR IKE EKWEREMADU CFR,


6 LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND SERVICE DELIVERY: A STUDY OF SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN NIGERIA

7 LG AUTONOMY IN NIGERIA ; A HISTORICAL PERAPECTIVE.

8 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA: ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD

9 Project Planning and Implementation at the Local Government
Level: Lessons of Experience.

10 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION, POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA .

11 Fiscal planning and local government administration in Nigeria: The quest for sustainable rural development. 12 Local government autonomy and effectiveness in Nigeria 13    Local Governments in Nigeria: Relevance and Effectiveness in Poverty Reduction and Economic Development 14 THE ROLE OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE ATTAINMENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS 15 Developing Alternative Sources of Funding Local Governments in Nigeria during Period of Global Economic Recession 16 Efficient Financial Management for Local Governments: The Nigerian Experience 17 Local Government and Social Service Delivery in Nigeria: A Content Analysis  18  The State of Local Government and  Service Delivery in Nigeria:  Challenges and Prospects  19 Challenges of Managing Local Government Finance in Nigeria 20 Local Government Finance in Nigeria: Challenges and Prognosis for Action in a Democratic Era (1999-2013) 21LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA: THE MYTH, THE PARADOX, THE CHALLENGES. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract/1st chapters 1 Boosting Internally Generated Revenue of Local Governments in Ogun State, Nigeria (A Study of selected Local Governments in Ogun State)† Olusola, Olubukunola. O Abstract For there to be a local government, it must be ready and be seen to be able to meet its obligations through internal sources. However this is far from what is obtained in practice as this study would show that for selected local governments understudied, they were unable to generate 10% of internal revenue, hence the gross dependence on statutory allocations from the federation account. This study had been carried out to see the impact these internal sources has on the total revenue. Problems, efforts for better and effective revenue generation will be identified. The study population consists of all the twenty (20) local governments in Ogun State. The sample size was three (3) local governments. The local governments were randomly selected by balloting and data were sourced from Annual Financial Statements (AFS) of each local government chosen for the study. The study is limited to a period of 6 years (2000-2005). The ordinary least square method was adopted using the multiple regression analysis and panel data regression method to test the fixed and random effects and test for level of significance at 1%. It was found out that rates, fines, fees and licenses, rent sources of revenue are significant factors influencing internally generated revenue of local governments in Ogun State. Keywords: Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Annual Financial Statements (AFS), Local Governments (LGs), Total Internally Generated Revenue            HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ---------------------------- 2 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION & DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA------by Olisa Agbakoba SAN & Hilary Ogbonna (A Capacity Building Manual) This is a training manual for local government administrators, community based organizations, NGOs, activists and policy makers, interested in improving good governance on the local level in Nigeria. The objectives of this manual are (1) to enable local government administrators to appreciate their roles as developmental agents and to enable them harness the various resources at their disposal to bring about meaningful grassroots development; (2) to help various interest groups and grassroots constituencies reach an understanding of issues in local government administration; (3) to assist political actors, community organizations and grassroots people in the context of their dealings with the local government; and (4) to help every stakeholder to develop action plans for the local government in their respective areas. The manual is intended to be used as training material for seminars and workshops, as a reference guide as well as advocacy material in public enlightenment and discourses. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Part 1 EVOLUTION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS Origin and Forms of Local Governments Part 2 GOVERNANCE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS Good Governance in Local Governments Administration . Local Government Financing , Budgeting in Local Governments. Part 3 CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE Civil Society Participation in Local Government Administration Part 4 LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT Local Governance and Development APPENDIX: Function of a Local Government Council Fourth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution.            HOW TO ORDER The full page [109]spiral Handbook will  be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N15000.00 PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3  Local Government Administration and the Challenges of Rural Development in Nigeria Abstract Rural development of the grassroots has been the concern of every responsible and responsive political system. This is because development and participation have continued to elude people of the grassroots. Development remains insignificant if it does not positively affect the lives of those in the periphery of decision making arrangement. The Nigerian state therefore created local government as the third tier of government whose objective is to ensure effective, measurable and efficient service delivery to the people. Local government is faced with various difficulties. The major concern of this paper is to dwell on these difficulties and illuminates the factors that are responsible for them. In achieving this, the paper relies on descriptive approach and unstructured interview. It concludes that problems of local government are multifarious in nature and the solutions for them should be adequate and practical in order to evolve viable and development-oriented third tier of government. Key words: grassroots, political system, autonomy, third tier, participation, development, uniformity, unity, culture, diversity, interference, national integration, performance, consciousness, concept, commitment, democracy, inefficiency, corruption, decentralisation.          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY AND DEVELOPMENT OF LOCALITIES IN NIGERIA: ISSUES, PROBLEMS AND SUGGESTIONS J. E. IMHANLAHIMI AND M. O. IKEANYIBE (Received 15, January 2008; Revision Accepted 26, June 2009) ABSTRACT The topical issue of local government (LG) autonomy in Nigeria in relation to the development of the localities, the raison d’etre of LGs, has been examined in this paper. Proceeding from theoretical framework and conceptualizations for clearer understanding, the paper discusses some dominant autonomy issues. These include representative LGs, the size of LGs, revenue, and personnel. The paper found that inadequate handling of virtually all the above issues has posed some challenges for LGs’ developmental efforts in the localities. Inadequate autonomy has been found to be the independent variable in the challenges. Other challenges include inadequate finances, weak intergovernmental relations, fledging democracy and grand corruption. These must be adequately tackled for LGs to make more positive impact in the localities. Some pertinent recommendations are as follows. LGs need adequate autonomy, hard work rather than verbal institutionalization, democratic consolidation, reduced corruption, increased discipline and application of the rule of law.                 HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 Repositioning the Local Government System for Sustainable Development through Constitution Review” TEXT OF LECTURE DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR IKE EKWEREMADU CFR, DEPUTY SENATE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT A SEMINAR ON “REPOSITIONING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ADMINISTRATION TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF VISION 20-20-20” ORGANISED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OF NIGERIA (ALGON) AND THE OFFICE OF THE SGF ON 6TH JULY 2009 AT THE SHEHU MUSA YAR’ADUA CENTRE, ABUJA “Repositioning the Local Government System for Sustainable Development through Constitution Review” Protocol Introduction I am indeed happy and count it an honour and great opportunity to brainstorm with this gathering of important stakeholders in our quest for sustainable national development. Though the invitation to this seminar and request to deliver this lecture was at a relative short notice, I did not hesitate to honour the invitation in person for so many reasons. I place premium on the local government system, being the closest tier of government to the people and a very critical factor in national development and the realization of the Vision 20-20-20. Importantly too, the local government system and the grassroots remain the genesis and cornerstone of my political career. So, for me, this event is a great reunion, having served as the Chairman of the Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State. This seminar is an uncommon opportunity for me to share ideas with my colleagues from the hindsight of a road trod before and of one who had once won the shoe and knows where it hurts. As an active player in the quest for the amendment of the 1999 Constitution since the 5th Senate and the Chairman of the present National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitution Review, I total subscribe to inclusiveness, participation, and consultation as indispensable elements of an acceptable, effective, and credible review of the 1999 Constitution. In fact, this is my second lecture on the constitution amendment in a space of about one month. On the 4th of June, I shared ideas with other critical stakeholders in the Nigerian project and the constitution review at the 2nd Alumni Homecoming of the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus vide a lecture entitled “10 Years of Democracy and the Quest for the Amendment of the 1999 Constitution”. Therefore, before I proceed, I wish to appreciate the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for their thoughtfulness in putting this seminar together to enrich discourses in topical development challenges facing the local government system and to build the capacity of these key players for better governance and administration of the local councils towards the achievement of Vision 20-20-20. This event, coming on the heels of Nigeria’s unprecedented 10 uninterrupted years of democracy, is a clear appreciation of the fact that democracy is not an end in itself, but a means which can best be sustained through good governance and practical improvement on the lives of our citizens. Incidentally, an overwhelming majority of our citizens live in the rural areas. Therefore, I count this seminar as indicative of a popular commitment to better the lots of a majority of Nigerians and by so doing consolidate our democracy. I was given the freedom to frame the topic of this presentation around the seminar theme vis-à-vis the constitution review. My choice of this topic is underlined by the fact that the local government system could do much better if it is constitutionally and positively repositioned to deliver on its mandate. And I believe the ongoing process of the 1999 Constitution amendment presents yet another opportunity to reform and strengthen the local government system to be more effective and efficient in contributing to grassroots and national development. Constitutionally well restructured, empowered and well administered local governments are catalysts for sustainable national development. I believe that Vision 20-20-20 can succeed better if local governments are empowered to key in optimally to the vision. I will thus strive to highlight several vital facets of the subject–matter to help engender as well as widen discourse in our quest for a more utilitarian local government system through constitution-making and democracy in Nigeria.            HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND SERVICE DELIVERY: A STUDY OF SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN NIGERIA ABUBAKAR, USMAN (Ph.D) Department of Local Government and Development Studies Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Kaduna State, Nigeria. ABSTRACT Arising from the dissatisfaction expressed by many nations with centralised approaches to local service delivery, a large number of these countries have resorted to decentralising responsibility to lower level elected governments for their provision. This study provides the findings of a field survey carried out in three states from the North-west, South- East and South- Western parts of Nigeria. From these states, three local government areas each: one urban, semi urban and rural were surveyed with respondents comprising of the chairman, six heads of departments and five councillors each from the local governments (9 number) and the civil society comprising traders and market women association, traditional rulers, a retired civil servants, the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and The Youth Association from each of the 9 local governments surveyed. Questionnaire and interviews were conducted and the responses were correlated and cross tabulated using the SPSS software. The result indicates a very weak relationship between local government (decentralisation) as operational in Nigeria and service delivery. Reasons for this development such as limited autonomy, high level government interferences among others were highlighted and suggestions proffered to help strengthen local governments in service provision. Keywords: Local government, Decentralization and Service delivery               HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 LG AUTONOMY IN NIGERIA A HISTORICAL PERAPECTIVE INTRODUCTION The aim of this paper is to examine the nature ofomy, the Local Government auton its strength and inherent contradictions in achieving the objectives of local government system in Nigeria. In doing this, it will be relevant to engage in a bit of theorizing and conceptualization of the terms local government and autonomy from different view points. This will enable us generate a greater power of analysis, as we observe that most of the handed down tools, models, theories and approaches from the West are of little utility to the changing conditions of developing democracies. This exercise will not in any way assume to have exhausted all the various definitions given by scholars and leading practitioners as to what local government and autonomy connote. But our choice of definition will be those that are of relevance to the contemporary Nigerian local government system. At this point, it is conceived that any serious discussion on the present local government autonomy has to touch on our socio-economic and political circumstances. Thus our values, sentiments and prejudices could not escape intruding as we make the premise as well as suggest measures for transforming Nigerian local government system.          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA: ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD AKHAKPE IGHODALO Department of Public Administration Lagos State University, Ojo Lagos +2348037222867, ighoakha@yahoo.com & KOLAWOLE SOLA Department of Industrial Relations and Personnel Management Lagos State University, Ojo Lagos +2348035753243, iokolly@yahoo.com ABSTRACT Local government administration is widely regarded as government closest to the people of the grassroot. It performs vital functions such as: political education, mobilization of the people for popular participation in governance, vehicle for political accountability, among others. The struggle to bring about a local government system in Nigeria has been a long drawn one. Efforts have geared towards moving the system from local administration to local government with functional political and economic autonomy. Yet, local government administration is confronted with issues and challenges such as: federal and state government’s interventions in the constitutional apportioned responsibilities of local government. The paper argues that for local government administration to realize its lofty goals, the country should return to true federalism, enthrone positive leadership, pursuit of economic self-reliance through internally generated revenue, and embrace attitudinal and behavioural changes to achieve good governance. Keywords: Local Government, Democracy, Reforms and Governance.                   HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 Project Planning and Implementation at the Local Government Level: Lessons of Experience Jimoh A. Oladipo Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Business and Social Sciences University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria E-mail: oladipoui@yahoo.com Tel: +2348033781008 Abstract Events of the second war and its aftermath have succeeded not only in making the concept of development a necessity objective but also in identifying the appropriate investment for implementing development projects. The advocacy for decentralization measures as an allcheck against concentrating power in any one particular organization finds relevance in the instrumentality of local governments in planning and implementing projects to address the issues of poverty, unemployment and inequality. For developing countries such as Nigeria, however, targeted outcomes have remained largely unachieved as projects at the local level have shown profound incapability in contributing to development of local areas. The problem of corruption, social instability and ethnic divisions has continued to increasingly rear its ugly head. The author’s 26 years experience as a technocrat in public project planning has therefore come in handy in looking back at all activities relating to project planning and implementation under three major areas viz: 1. chronicling the process 2. examining all institutional and administrative apparatus put in place and 3. identifying problems and constraints hampering effectiveness in project planning and implementation. Although several factors are discovered to contribute to the failure of local government projects in making appreciable impacts, the most serious ones have to do with institutional instability and policies working at cross purposes. The paper identifies six policy areas in rectifying the failings. Keywords: Project Planning and Implementation, Local Government, Decentralisation, Social and Economic Development, Goals and Objectives          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION, POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA   Samuel C. Ugoh Department of Political Science, University of Lagos, Lagos     Abstract Absolute poverty has to do with living below whatever is defined as poverty line based on per capita income or consumption of individuals or households in a country. The local government system is set up, at least in part, to help curtail the prevalence of poverty. The paper is aimed at an evaluation of to what extent this objective is being pursued and addressed by Nigerian local governments as units of political administration, known as the third tier of government, next to the state and federal levels in that order. The study identified a whole gamut of factors militating against local governments contributing as they should to the issue of poverty alleviation.   Keywords: Poverty; development; local government; alleviation.          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 Fiscal planning and local government administration in Nigeria: The quest for sustainable rural development   Samihah Khalil and Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu*   Ghazali Shafie Graduate School of Government, College of Law, Government and International Studies, Northern University of Malaysia, 06010, UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia. *Corresponding author. E-mail: Adelabusalihu21@gmail.com. Accepted 7 October, 2011  Abstract The raison d’etre of a local government is to collect its revenue efficiently and to use that revenue to provide infrastructural development for its tax payers. Local government as the third tier of government cannot, therefore be ideal from the financial view lens if it collects its revenue in a slip-shod manner and devotes a large percentage of it to the maintenance of a top- heavy administrative set-up, with a relatively small proportion of the revenue left for the provision of infrastructural development which are of direct benefits to the local inhabitants. The purpose of this paper is to critically examine local government accountability in respect of budget and budgeting system in order to improve sustainable development at the local level. The paper tries to study the main source of revenue of local governments in Nigeria, and determine how the resources are utilized to deliver infrastructural development to the people. Also, information on budget and budgeting of Irepo local government is analyzed in the study. There are 774 local governments in Nigeria. This research study covers  33 local governments in terms of disbursement of statutory allocation, and Irepo local government in terms of budget and budgeting analysis.  As far back as 1999, the Nigerian local governments are being given enough by the Federal Government in order to provide infrastructural development to the citizens in the local area, but it seems the said public revenue are being mismanaged by political leaders and local governments’ officials in Nigeria. The findings of this paper revealed that < 5% of the statutory allocation accrued to the local governments under consideration is being expended on infrastructural development, while > 10% is used for personnel expenditure as the cost of delivering infrastructural development by local governments in Nigeria. So, further researches can still be carried out on fiscal planning by local governments for sustainable development in the remaining local governments in Nigeria. This paper therefore recommended that the policy/decision-makers should make use of the findings of this study to help inform future decisions on fiscal planning in the local government administration in order to bring about sustainable development to the rural dwellers in the local governments. It is found that there is need for proactive measure for fiscal planning in order to sustain infrastructural development in the local government administration. Also found, is that local governments need to put in place a good fiscal planning that will sustain development at the local level. Key words: Fiscal planning, sustainable development, local government.          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12 Local Government’s Autonomy and Effectiveness in Nigeria Abdullahi Ayoade Ahmad dollah_8540@yahoo.co.uk Abstract Local government is an intermediary player between the federal authority and the grassroots in a given society. Adequate effective local authority is an indication that governmental policies and activities are well with the people. In other words, the smooth running of a society needs to be cemented from the grassroots through adequate representation, policy formulation and implementation, and equitable distributions of resources and services. Nigeria is one of the few countries in Africa that adopted a federal system of government, a system that envisages autonomy for every sector of its authorities. Unfortunately, to suit their political agenda and interests, federal and state governments have maintained a great level of control over local authorities. This paper will investigate the level of privilege empowered on the local authorities in the Nigerian constitution to discharge their duties, and the extent to which the federal and state governments have interfered with and influenced its effectiveness.          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13         Local Governments in Nigeria: Relevance and Effectiveness in    Poverty Reduction and Economic Development Ito Diejomaoh (Corresponding author) African Institute for Applied Economics 27 Nza Street, Independence Layout, Enugu Tel: +2348059273107 E-mail: itobore@gmail.com Prof. Eric Eboh African Institute for Applied Economics 27 Nza Street, Independence Layout, Enugu Tel: +2348036660475 E-mail: eceboh@yahoo.com Abstract This paper examines the local government system in Nigeria, its relevance and impact in poverty reduction, economic growth and sustainable development. After a review of the local government system in Nigeria as an example of political, fiscal and economic decentralization, it examines the nature and evolution of local government in Nigeria as well as the roles and responsibilities of the local governments in the Nigerian context. In examining the deficiencies of the local government system in Nigeria one of the major issues seem to be a problem of accountability of local governments along with serious capacity issues. The paper concludes with a treatment of the imperatives for optimising the effectiveness of local governments in Nigeria. Keywords: Local Government, Effectiveness, Poverty Alleviation      HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 THE ROLE OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE ATTAINMENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS   INTRODUCTION/DEFINITIVES Aristotle, the  great Greek  philosopher, who was described by Dante, the Latin poet, as the “master of those who know”, had suggested that “definition of terms (names ) is  the  beginning  of any discussion” rendered in Latin as “initio disputandi est definitio nominis”. In line  with the above glaring veracity,   the writer intends to give explication  of key terms used in this address. Before such an exercise in linguistic analysis, however, permit the writer  to declare that this paper intends, secondarily, to indicate the extent to which  the  United  Nations Millennium Development Goals  have been attained at the Local Government level of  administration in Nigeria,  the Niger Delta and  our States in  particular. However, the paper focuses more and primarily on the responsibility of the local government towards the attainment of these self-same goals. We  thus  wish to  explicate the concept  of Local Government and to give a cursory insight into what the  goals  to be achieved  are all  about. Let us say here, that after the explication  of terms, we shall  go on to address the historicity, structure, finance and  function  of Local Government. We shall then  connect Local Government to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, mindful of what they ought to do.  If  there  are problems that can militate against  the Local Governments in their attempt  to practically address  these  goals, we shall discuss them, and thereafter make  some recommendations. To the explication of terms now we turn.                  HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15 Developing Alternative Sources of Funding Local Governments in Nigeria during Period of Global Economic Recession.  Developing Alternative Sources of Funding Local Governments in Nigeria during Period of Global Economic Recession 1Danjuma Abdullahi Phd, 2Zakariyau Yahaya Kwanga 1College of law, government and international studies Universiti Utara, Malaysia 2Department of Public Administration Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic Birnin Kebbi Abstract: The paper intends to investigate the reasons for poor performance of local governments in Nigeria as well as looking at the alternative sources of funding local governments been the level of government closer to the people but unfortunately this level of government has been subjected to serious underfunding by the other tiers of government couple with economic recession that is affecting the globe, it is clear that government alone could no longer continuo funding local governments, Nigeria is a mono-crop economy that is heavily rely on oil, any fluctuation in the oil market could definitely make a negative impacts on their allocation and affect the rate of service delivery to the people, traditionally local government allocation came directly from federal allocation but for unknown reasons the state government do hijack it and gives local government a token amount that is not even enough for the payment of their salaries, Descriptive approach was used to gather data, the findings revealed poor performance of local governments in Nigeria and the paper suggest that local government should look outward for alternative sources of revenue instead of relying on federation allocation. Key words: Local Government; Funding; Economy and Recession          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16  Efficient Financial Management for Local Governments: The Nigerian Experience Olu Ojo Department of Business Studies, Covenant University, P. M. B. 1023, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria e-mail: oluojoe@yahoo.com Abstract This article attempts to present the local governments’ executives with a number of options to consider as they deal with the complex and ever changing questions of financial management for the local community. The paper provides local government officials quick access to a framework of ideas and suggestions that work within the hierarchy of financial management. Finance is immensely important in the running of organizations or governments. Local governments need financial resources to carry out their constitutional responsibilities as regards providing social services as well as mobilizing available resources for effective rural development and good governance at the grass root level. However, investigation revealed that local government has performed below expectations as a result of poor fund management. This paper which deals with efficient financial management in local governments in Nigeria was written to articulate and discuss the instruments that will help the local government councils to manage their funds adequately and be able to perform their statutory duties accordingly. Specifically, we discussed the various tools and techniques of efficient financial management which could assist the local government with performing their roles. These are as follows: the use of budget, rational approach, incremental approach, zero-based budgeting approach, planning, programming and budgeting system, audit alarm, and auditing approach. A thorough adoption and application of these approaches will improve financial management of local governments in Nigeria and enhance the quality of service delivery at the grass root. Key words: local government, financial management, tools of financial management, service delivery          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17 Local Government and Social Service Delivery in Nigeria: A Content Analysis Agba, Michael Sunday, PhD Dept. of Public Administration, Univerrsity of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State,        Email. mikagbaagba@yahoo.co.uk Akwara, Azalahu Francis, PhD Department of Political Science Federal University, Taraba State, Nigeria. Idu, Abubakar Y. Department of Public Administration Kogi State University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria Doi:10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n2p455 Abstract Government exists primarily to provide services that will make life worth living. Accordingly, local governments as third tier government are created to bring government closer to the people at the grassroots and for transformation of lives at the rural level. One of the ways of bringing government closer to the people at the grassroots is through the delivery of service in a satisfactory, timely, effective and adequate manner.This paper is therefore an examination of Local Government and Social Service Delivery in Nigeria. It argues that the constitutional mandate of local governments in terms of “function performance” has not been translated into reality. Thus, the paper concludes and recommends that local governments must attempt to overcome the challenges that have circumvented their performance. It is only by this can they be positioned to render cutting services in a timely, effective, adequate, prompt and satisfactory manner to justify their continuous existence and huge financial allocations to them. Key Words: Local government, financial allocation, rural development, performance and social service delivery. 1. Introduction No government can satisfy me if it does not address the food poverty of Nigerians, the health poverty of Nigerians, education poverty of Nigerians, the infrastructural poverty of Nigerians, the energy poverty of Nigerians. GaniFawehinmi( cited in Anagwonye,2009:184) Nigeria operates a federal system of government with a Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), 36 states and 774 local governments. As creatures of the federal government, local governments are constitutionally mandated to perform four basic functions: to provide a machinery for the discussion of local needs and for the provisions of corresponding services within the competence and capability of the local area; to provide machinery for the execution at the local level of regional or federal government policy; to provide a consensus mechanism for the resolution of conflicts of interest at the local level; and to provide a training ground for political participation and articulation (Okoli,2000).This implies that Nigerian local governments are to render cutting edge services that will foster socio-economic development of the rural people. If properly managed, local governments are viable instrument for rural transformation, development and the delivery of social services to rural communities in their jurisdiction. Historically speaking, local governments have been assigned different functions. In colonial time, native authorities were primarily established for maintenance of law and order. With the emergence of independence, emphasis shifted from laws enforcement to the provision of social services (Adeyemo, 2005)          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18 The State of Local Government and  Service Delivery in Nigeria:  Challenges and Prospects  Local government creates an appropriate and conducive environment for the people at the local level through efficient and effective service delivery. The value of local government 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 Nigerian local governments. It notes that Local government is the closest government 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. Keywords: Local Government, Service Delivery, Development, Nigeria.          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 Challenges of Managing Local Government Finance in Nigeria Maurice Ayodele Coker , John Anyabe Adams Department of Political Science, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria Email of Corresponding author: coker_maurice@yahoo.com Abstract Since the 1976 Local Government Reforms that were undertaken to strengthen the local system in Nigeria, several challenges have cropped up, over the years, to impede the performance of local government councils in the discharge of their constitutionally assigned responsibilities. One of such challenges is the dwindling revenue base of local government councils. This paper focuses on how local government councils manage their finances against the background of lack of financial autonomy, corruption, and, undue interference in local affairs, especially in the areas of operation of joint statelocal government accounts which gives the state government undue advantage over local governments. The objective of the study to improve understanding of the revenue status of local governments so that the public may appraise the financial challenges faced by the third-tier of government in Nigeria that have adversely affected the delivery of quality services to the rural populace. The methodology used in the study was descriptive qualitative analysis. The findings show that local governments in Nigeria have not been doing well due to lack of financial autonomy, undue meddlesomeness of state governments in local affairs, corruption among local government officials, etc. it is recommended that full financial autonomy should be granted local councils on matters statutorily assigned to them, the joint state-local government councils account system should be abrogated, and honest and transparent officials should be put at the helm of affairs in the local government councils to firm up the local government system in Nigeria. Keywords: Local government reform; revenue base; financial management; budgeting; local government autonomy          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20 Local Government Finance in Nigeria: Challenges and Prognosis for Action in a Democratic Era (1999-2013) Agba, Michael Sunday 1;  Stephen Ocheni 2; Nnamani, Desmond Okechukwu 3 1Department of Public Administration, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria  2Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, Nigeria. Email: stephenocheni@yahoo.com 3Department of Public Administration and Local Government, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. Email: dungabrazil8yahoo.com. (Corresponding Author). Abstract Local government finance is one of the aspects of public finance. It deals with the generation of revenue, expenditure and utilization of financial resources in order to bring the impact of government closer to the people at the grassroots. Put differently, finance is essential in enabling local governments  transform the lives of the rural dwellers through the provision of social services and rural infrastructures like the construction and maintenance of rural roads, markets, schools, health centers. Despite the fact that the funding of local governments in Nigeria is an important aspect of fiscal federalism and intergovernmental relations, it has suffered setbacks, thus, circumventing development at the grassroots. This ugly trend is usually associated with or provoked by certain underlying factors like overdependence on statutory allocations from the Federation Account, corruption, tax evasion from citizens at the grassroots, creation of non-viable local government councils in terms of the capacity to generate finance internally and effectively utilized it for development purposes, and lack of financial autonomy. Thus, the paper is an attempt at revisiting the sources of local government finance in Nigeria and the factors affecting the financial viability of local government councils within the purview of fiscal federalism as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Financial viability backed up by effective management; public accountability, fiscal autonomy, staff motivation and servant leadership attitude among politicians are imperatives in building capacity at the grassroots for legitimacy of creation and sustainable development. Keywords: Local Government, Fiscal Allocation, Sources of Revenue, and Social Services          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  21 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA: THE MYTH, THE PARADOX, THE CHALENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD ABSTRACT Local government as presently structured in Nigeria has its challenges that constitute a great hindrance to the realization of its very essence as governance at the grass root. This laudable institution the world over is really finding it difficult to thrive in this part of the globe. It becomes then pertinent to ask if the problem is in the structure, in the dynamics of operation or in the operators. Is there a possible way out? These questions, this paper sets out to answer with a position that the apparent failure is due to the scientific approach to politics in Nigeria without consideration of the Sitz-im-Leben involving the ontological and epistemological proclivities of the African which would have resulted in “a-home-grown” system that would have been beneficial and relevant to the people, at the same time, yield the desired result of the involvement and mobilization of the grassroots in governance. Key Words: Local Government, Myth, Paradox, Problems, Way Out          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016