CHAPTER ONE

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND OF STUDY

The adoption of a federal arrangement in a country presupposes that there is division of powers among levels of government with a written constitution showing the division, and the coordinate relationships between the levels with regard to their respective functions. This means that each level of government can decide and act on issues within its defined jurisdiction, irrespective of whether or not other levels are disposed towards such decisions and/or actions.

However, it does appear that the various reforms and the practice of local governments in Nigeria over the years have tended to remove much of the autonomy granted this level of government. For example, in an attempt to distinguish local governments from higher levels of government the Guidelines of the 2006 Local Government Reform stipulate that the powers of the local governments are derived from state governments and the local communities, which they represent. This appears to contradict the concept of coordinate relationship.

The inherent constraints on the autonomy of Local governments have had serious implications for the level of government in the area of decision-making and the mobilization of resources to carry out the functions assigned to it. Local government autonomy can be considered within the context of the classical theory of federalism epitomized by Where, which stresses a formal division of powers between levels of government. According to Wheare (2004) federal principle means the method of dividing powers so that general and regional governments are each within a sphere coordinate and independent.

This means that the federal principle includes the division of powers among levels of government, the existence of a written constitution showing the division, and the coordinate supremacy of the levels of governments with regard to their respective functions. Vile and Birch (2009) agree with Wheare that some degree of coordinacy and independence is crucial if federalism is not to become a sham. In this context, local governments are sub national units in a federal state with power legally conferred on them over specified functions and territory.

To that extent, the local governments should be free to decide and mobilize resources to execute and manage development activities within their area of jurisdiction without any interference from higher levels of government. However, a comparative analysis of local government practices in federally governed countries shows that the degree of autonomy varies from country to country. This paper, therefore, examines the level of autonomy enjoyed by local governments in the Nigerian Federation with a view to drawing lessons for the future.

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Local government is a tier of government that closer to the grass root than any other tier of government. In that case it is expected to meet the immediate need of the masses. The challenges that might be facing local government autonomy in promoting socio-economic development could be as a result of the joint account the local government share with the state government. Local government autonomy has to do with the area of finance. The constitution empowers the State to scrutinize and approve Local government budgets, and expenditure through the State House of Assembly, States here exercise arbitrary and undue control over Local government finance through establishment of the State local Joint Account. The issue of State Local government Joint Account has been a thorny issue in Local government State relationship in Nigeria. This situation also brought to the fore the question of Local government autonomy. The experience of most Local government areas is that their states starve them of the statutory grants thus denying them of rendering essential services as required. Finally, there have been several research carried out on the local government autonomy but there have been no single research carried out on the assessment of local government autonomy in promoting socio-economic development , a case study of Siba local government.

1.3   AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

        The main aim of the study is to examine the assessment of local government autonomy in promoting socio-economic development. Other specific objectives of the study include:

1. to determine the extent to which the assessment of local government autonomy affects socio-economic development.
2. to determine the factors affecting local government assessment.
3. to determine the factors affecting socio-economic development in Siba local government area.
4. to proffer possible solution to the problems.

1.4   RESEARCH QUESTIONS               

1. What is the extent to which the assessment of local government autonomy affects socio-economic development?
2. What are the factors affecting local government assessment?
3. What are the factors affecting socio-economic development in Siba local government area?
4. What are the possible solutions to the problems?

1.5   STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H1:         assessment of local government autonomy does not promote socio-economic development.

H0:    assessment of local government autonomy promotes socio-economic development.

1.6   SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The study on the assessment of local government autonomy in promoting socio-economic development will be of immense benefit to the entire Siba local government area in the sense that it will enable the government to increase sense of vision, commitment and political will on the part of leadership particularly at the federal level. The study will also help a lot of lapses that are inherent in the constitution to be amended and not to favour emotional issues being raised but must be sincerely done in the overall interest of the majority of the people. Finally, the study will contribute to the body of existing literature and knowledge to this field of study and basis for further research.

1.7   SCOPE OF STUDY

        The study on the assessment of local government autonomy in promoting socio-economic development is limited to Siba local government area.

1.8   LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.9   DEFINITION OF TERMS

Assessment     The action or an instance of making a judgment about something

Autonomy       The right or condition of self-government.

Promoting       Support or actively encourage (a cause, venture, etc.); further the progress of.

Socio-economic      Socioeconomics is the social science that studies how economic activity affects and is shaped by social processes. In general it analyzes how societies progress, stagnate, or regress because of their local or regional economy, or the global economy. 

Development An event constituting a new stage in a changing situation