EFFECT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE GRASSROOTS IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF KALTUNGO LOCAL GOVERNMENT)

CHAPTER ONE
Local government is a level of government with assigned legislative and executive powers to execute and make policies covering a particular area made up of communities (localities) of theirs local government. The constitution provides for establishment, defines its structure, functions, powers and sources of revenue for activities. Furthermore.
Its relationship with the state and federal governments is clearly stated in the constitution (Philip, 2009). However, the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria introduced some ambiguous clauses in the relationship between the local state governments and prominent among them is the state local government joint account (SLGJA) arrangement which has seriously eroded the financial autonomy of the local government system in Nigeria. The SLGJA has been so much misinterpreted by the state government that the local government that the local government council whether elected or appointed is heavily under the overbearing influence of the state government always (Avanti, 2016).
The local government system was introduced in Nigeria through indirect rule system that was established in 1900 by lord Lugard-It was establish with the sole arm of maintaining law and order to provide some services and public amenities, co-operation and participation for inhabitants towards the improvement of their conditions of living and provide communities with a formal organizational frame work which enables them conduct their affairs. A goal is an image of future state which may be fully or partially achieved but the degree to which this goal is pursued justifies the existence of the organization.
This is made possible with complete reference to statutory powers. The necessity of the development in grass roof in the country became the corner stone of the development in government policy from 1976 onwards because government has realized that overall national development cannot be achieved without effective development in rural areas.
This led to the creation of local governments. And for these new created local governments to participate actively in grass roof development as the third tier of government, was given more autonomy to deal with the problems of the people.
According to Ezeani (2006), other specific reasons for the creation of local government include but not limited to: making appropriate services and development activities, responsive to local wishes and initiatives by devolving or delegating them to local representative bodies, others are sensitizing and mobilizing the various communities in their areas of authority in order to get involved in the overall development of those areas. It is highly doubtful if local governments in Nigeria have been able to effectively meet these laudable goals and others since their creation.
Local government administration is a well-organized and conceived government as a political body statutorily created by law to govern the local communities basically through an organized and systematic process to achieve the objectives of grass roof development (akani, 2017). he further notes that the closeness of the government to the local populace could have enable it to effectively perform the specified functions which bordered more on service delivery according to the interests and aspirations of the local communities-Unfortunately, this was not to be as the system has witnessed all manner of abuse which manifests in lack of financial autonomy and other undue interference. In the opinion of Akani (2017), local government councils are today under the firm grip of the state government, manipulating them at the caprices of the governor through the compromised state house of assembly. under such circumstances, it becomes very obvious that there is not much the local administration can offer in terms of local communities/grass roots development since the state governors who have assumed "ownership" of the councils would not allow them access to their funds. In the light of the above, the local government has undergo the series of reforms since creation-however, it may have to be noted that the environment of local government council will be to large extent determine the nature and value of functions of Urban local government in respect of degree of development and nature of roles to be performed.
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORMS
Before 1976, local government was essentially a regional responsibility, there was thus enormous disparity in the approaches adopted by all the then regions in Nigeria, the North, Western and Eastern rejoins. Irrespective of inter-state differences in the structures and forms of local government administration is all states of the federation followed the integrated model.
Local government has been going through reformation even before the attainment of the independence in 1960. there were reforms of 1948,1952,1955 and 1966. the 1976 local government reform which was introduced by the Murtala/Obasanjo's regime ushered in a uniformed system of local government administration in the country. the then government spokesman declared that it is only through an effective local government system that human and material resources could be mobilized for local communication between the government and the governed. But above all, the reform was intended to entrust political responsibility to whose it is most crucial and most beneficial, that is to the people at the grass root-the government hopes that the reform would further entrench the principle of participation, democracy and of political responsibility to every Nigerian.
the reform would have meant nothing if it didn't include the certainty that every stratum of Nigeria society would benefit from the continued development of the country. The reform further introduced the following: changes in the structure and organization of local government administration and system. This uniformity entails the constitution of councilors directly elected by the people. creation of 299 single tier local authorities in the country as primary authorities. the population and size of local authorities was stipulated to be between 150,000 and 800,000 persons. The introduction of supervisory councilors into the administrative and political mechanism of the local governments.
THE 1988 LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM
Ever since the 1976 local government reform, there have been reviews, amendments and reforms of local government system in the country. However, the most outstanding additional review so far was the one introduced by former military president Ibrahim Babangida in 1988. the reform which took effect from 1991 brought about the granting of financial autonomy to the local government and increased their share of federal revenue from 10% to 15%. The implication of this is that local government's share of federal allocation will be remitted to them directly rather than through the state government some of the intention of the Babangida administration for the introduction of the Babangida administration for the introduction of the reform were for the removal of financial bottlenecks local government suffered in the hands of state government. state government had used local government allocation to solve its problems thereby paying local government at its (state's) convenient time.
The reform also facilitated the appointment of local government secretaries by the elected “executive chairman”, in accordance with the letters and spirit of service reforms as applied to local government.
The position of secretary relinquishes his or her at the expiration of the tenure of office of the chairman who appointed him or her – this secretary may be a serving or retired person having a considerably good record of performance and administrative experience, preferably within the public service.
The secretary functions as the chief administrative adviser to the executive chairman and arm of local government coordinating all activities and serving as secretary. Consequently, the principles of separation of power were adopted in the reform this was to justify the full political and financial autonomy granted to the local government and to reflect three tier structure of government at the federal, state and grass root.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
It is a widely acknowledged fact that local government is best suited for grass root’s emancipation and development – perhaps, this could be the reason behind the various reforms the system has passed.
Through in Nigeria, in an attempt to find the best way it if could be made more responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of the people at the grass roots level. The reforms had focused more on how to accelerate development through the participation of the local population as well as hold those in power accountable for their roles in governance. Unfortunately, a true third tier government has never taken. Place in the governance structure of Nigeria despite the overwhelming endorsement of local government administration as a potent answer capable of mobilizing the grass roots people for participative governance (Ozohu-suleiman and chima, 2015).
Central government in its wisdom decentralized its functions and gave some to the local government including provision of healthcare services, primary school services, infrastructural development (roads, drainages, food markets, rural water scheme, rural electrification, sanitation). And other physical and social infrastructural development however, it is doubtful if the local government administration have lived up to expectations in carrying out the functions mentioned above.
Perhaps, identification of the reason for poor performance of the local government administration in Gombe state are the basic for this study.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The broad objective of the study is to examine the effect of local government administration on grass roots development in Gombe state using Kaltungo local government as the study but the specific objectives are:
1. Determine the extent local government has been able to provide some social services (health, education, etc) to their constituent communities in Gombe state.
2. Ascertain the extent local government administration have been able to provide certain infrastructural facilities (rural/farm roads, food market, motor parks, rural electrification, portable water, etc) in their constituent communities in Gombe state
1.4 HYPOTHESIS
The following null hypotheses were formulated to guide the objectives of the study as well as strengthen the analysis:
1. Local government administration have not significantly provided some social service (health, education, etc) in their constituent communities in Gombe state.
2. Local government administrations have not significantly provided certain basic infrastructural facilities (rural/farm roads, parks, food market, etc) in their constituent communities.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study has both theoretical significance perspective, the study will add substantially to the existing stock of literature in the area thereby expanding the frontiers of knowledge, similarly, the empirical significance stems from the fact that different categories of persons will benefit immensely from the findings of the study. For instance, local government administrators would be sufficiently enlightened on how they can improve performance to significantly impact their constituent communities. It the same vein, the community members would be given enough insight on how they can partner the local government administration to attract development.
1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This research will be limited to Kaltungo local government area, Gombe state due to time and financial constraints. Various areas of the environment will be put into consideration, therefore the areas will be examined clearly and put into consideration during data analysis and interpretation.
1.7 PLAN OF STUDY OR ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY
The study is divided into five chapters, chapter one deal with the study’s introduction and given a background to the study, chapter two reviews related and relevant literature. The chapter three gives the research methodology while the chapter four gives the study’s analysis and interpretation of data. The study concludes with chapter five which deals with the summary, conclusion and recommendation.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS-THERE MUST BE AN INTRODUCTION IN ORDER IS AVOID
i. Local government (LG): has been conceptualized as a political authority which is purposely created by law or constitution for local communities by which they manage their public affairs within the limits of the law (Odion-Akhaine, 2009 in Akani,2017).
Ola and Tonwe (2005) have also defined it as the third tier of government which should be instrumental to grass roots development.
ii. Administration Adebayo (1984) in Akani (2017) defines it as the organization and division of powers in order to accomplish a specific end. A process geared towards the accomplishment of a given expected goal, in a systematic and organized way.
iii. Grassroot development: Abdulgafar, Ibrahim and Alasinrin (2013) define it as the process by which the standard of living at grassroots level is enhanced politically, socially and economically. Olofin, Olanyan and Folawewo (2013) define it as a deliberate effort which empowers people to get out of poverty, improve living conditions and act as an instrument of social mobilization.
 
CHAPTER TWO
2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW
Local government can be described as the lower local government. It is legally distinct and has powers to raise revenue and undertake assigned responsibilities under a leadership that is elected and answerable to the local population. It can also be stated that local government exercises power that is decentralized in the form of devolution. It provides a platform for participation of citizens to conduct their own affairs, mobilize human and material resources and enhance efficient delivery of service.
Gboyega (1987) identified two sets of theories of local government. The first set tries to justify the existence of or the need for local government on the ground of its essentiality to a democratic regime or for practical administrative purpose like responsiveness, accountability and controls the second set opposes the first that the existence of local government cannot be justified by any of those reasons mentioned above in that “local government institutions are neither democratic in their internal operation nor admit of responsiveness, accountability and control”.
According to the latter argument, local government and democracy stand at the extreme of opposite ends of a pool or are in antithetical relationship to one another, such that the weakness of one is the strength of the other. Gboyega (1987) cited some of the scholars in first category as mill, Panter Brick, Wilson, Bentham, Harold Laski and others. Their lines of arguments as expressed by Gboyega (1987), are:
i. Service are made relevant to local people and are locally administered.
ii. Provides education in citizenship.
iii. Provides training in political leadership.
iv. Makes available to the government information about localities which is essential for adequately meeting their needs efficiently and minimizes concentration of power by diffusing it.
v. The values stated above promote democracy and contribute to the development of democratic climate.
In domesticating the above theories, Oyediran (1998) argues with reference to Nigeria that;
1. Certain functions of local government are purely local in character and should be locally demanded.
2. Local government gives a viable opportunity for education, and citizenship political education. In other words, local government provides an opportunity for democratic decision making.
3. Local council is more easily accountable to local groups and individuals than the other levels of government and their agencies.
4. Local government is a training ground for state and national political leaders, particularly in a developing country as Nigeria. Local government has important role to play in national development.
However, three separate theories of local government are common in literature. They are:
1. Democratic participatory theory this school of through hold the view that local government exist dely for the purpose of promoting democracy and participation at the grass roots level, thereby bringing government nearer to the (Adamo lekun, et al: 1988:62)

    Date: 2026-08-02 00:00:00.000000