Intergovernmental Financial Relations and Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria

Filed in Political Science Project Topics by on October 22, 2020

Intergovernmental Financial Relations and Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

This study investigated Intergovernmental financial relations and local government autonomy in Nigeria : A case study of Igbo-Etiti local government Area of Enugu State. To accomplish this task, we were able to determine if the structure of Intergovernmental financial relations in Nigeria enhanced autonomy of Igbo-Etiti local government.

Ascertained whether the structure of Intergovernmental financial relations undermined infrastructural development in the local government and examined whether the structure of Intergovernmental financial relations in Nigeria increased literacy rate in Igbo-Etiti local government Area. All data gathered were presented in tables and analysed in percentages.

The appropriate theory that was used for the work is institutional theory and we were able to arrive at the following findings; that financial autonomy of local government cannot be guaranted under the present structure of Intergovernmental financial relations.

That infrastructurtal development in the local government areas was being undermined by lack of financial autonomy and that there shall be increase in literacy rate in the rural areas when local governments are allowed to have direct allocations  from the federal government.

INTRODUCTION

Finance has emerged as the most critical policy issue in intergovernmental relations in every federal administrative system since the Second World War. This is because in most federal countries of the world, intergovernmental relations have been contentious.

The revenue allocations have equally been contentious, distribution of resources among the various levels of government has never been easy and smooth, hence the contention, and Nigeria is no exception (Okeke 2004). According to Danjuma (1994), the existence of federal system with its accompanying political units necessitates a revenue sharing arrangement to enable its unit to carry out its constitutionally assigned responsibilities’.

However, in a federation, the logic underlining the allocation of powers (revenue sources’) does not always tally with the logic that underline the assignment of constitutional responsibilities, there is always a gap between the revenue obligation and revenue sources of levels of government.

President Babangida (in Oyelakin 1994) pronounced the autonomy of local government vis-à-vis the state government in the following words. Local government councils will be accorded full administrative autonomy and allowed to operate in accordance with the spirit and letter of the constitution.

The council will not be subject to national control and direction by the state or federal government in the discharge of their constitutional responsibility of providing the basic needs, including primary education for their communities. Local government council will also enjoy their full financial autonomy.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Adebayo, A. (1981) Principles of Public Administration in Nigeria, New York: John Willey and sons limited.

Adedokun, A. (2006) Local Government Tax Mobilisation and Utilisation in Nigeria: Problems and Prospects, Ibadan: University of Ibadan press.

Anyafor, A. M.O. (1996) Public Finance in a Developing Economy: The Nigerian Case, Enugu: B F Publication UNEC

Asika, N. (2006) Research Methodology in the Behavioral Sciences, Nigeria: Longman Nigeria PLC.

Biereenu-Nnabugwu, M. (2006) Methodology of Political Inquiry: Issues and Techniques of Research in Political Science. Enugu: Quintagon Publishers

Edeman and Ekpung (2004) The Essentials of Public Finance and Public Finance Management in Nigeria, University of Calabar press.

CSN Team.

Comments are closed.

Hey Hi

Don't miss this opportunity

Enter Your Details