Local Government And Service Delivery In Nigeria
Local Government And Service Delivery In Nigeria
Abstract
This study was carried out to examine local government and service delivery in Nigeria using Kontagora Local Government Area as a case study. The study was set to determine whether local governments in Nigeria play their statutory role of service delivery to residents; assess the effectiveness of local governments in Nigeria in the provision of basic amenities; assess the effectiveness of local governments in Nigeria in service delivery; and determine the factors affecting the effectiveness of local governments in service delivery. The survey design was adopted and the simple random sampling techniques were employed in this study. The population size comprise of staff of Kontagora Local Government Area. In determining the sample size, the researcher conveniently selected 57 respondents and 50 were validated. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using frequency tables, and mean scores. While the hypotheses were tested using Chi-square statistical tool. The result of the findings reveals that local governments in Nigeria play their statutory role of service delivery to residents, however local governments in Nigeria are not effective in the provision of basic amenities, and service delivery in general. The result of the findings reveals that the factors affecting the effectiveness of local governments in service delivery include; poor leadership, inadequate financing, corruption, insecurity, and man power issues. Therefore, it is recommended 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. To mention but a few.
Table of Content
- Title Page
- Certification
- Dedication
- Acknowledgement
- Table of Content
- List of Tables
- Abstract
Chapter One:
Introduction
- 1.1 Background of the Study
- 1.2 Statement of the Problem
- 1.3 Objective of the Study
- 1.4 Research Questions
- 1.5 Research Hypothesis
- 1.6 Significance of the Study
- 1.7 Scope of the Study
- 1.8 Limitation of the Study
- 1.9 Definition of Terms
- 1.10 Organisations of the Study
Chapter Two:
Review of Literature
- 2.1 Conceptual Framework
- 2.2 Theoretical Framework
- 2.3 Empirical Review
Chapter Three:
Research Methodology
- 3.1 Research Design
- 3.2 Population of the Study
- 3.3 Sample Size Determination
- 3.4 Sample Size Selection Technique and Procedure
- 3.5 Research Instrument and Administration
- 3.6 Method of Data Collection
- 3.7 Method of Data Analysis
- 3.8 Validity of the Study
- 3.9 Reliability of the Study
- 3.10 Ethical Consideration
Chapter Four:
Data Presentation and Analysis
- 4.1 Data Presentation
- 4.2 Analysis of Data
- 4.3 Answering Research Questions
- 4.4 Test of Hypotheses
- 4.5 Findings
Chapter Five:
Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
- 5.1 Summary
- 5.2 Conclusion
- 5.3 Recommendation
- References
- APPENDIX
- QUESTIONNAIRE
Chapter One
Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
The need to democratize powers of government all over the world informed the establishment of local government administration at the grassroots level for meeting specific needs of the people at the grassroots level. Ezeani (2006), submitted that the system of the local government is believed to exist in every nation of the world, albeit with variations in its essential features such as constitutional status, historical structures and level of autonomy. The establishment of local government administration is intended to have a major impact on the daily lives or rural dwellers, and seek a new focus on improving their standard of living and qualities of lives of people at the grassroots through local government administration by the rural dwellers. For the fulfillment of the objectives of its establishment, local government must have policies and institutional frameworks that will support and sustain grassroots development in any system of government. In the view of Ola and Tonwe (2009: 1) “government activities when conducted from a central point and far away from the people tend to become impersonal, and against this impersonality or abstract view, there is a perpetual rebellion”. The consciousness of the alienation and absence of the presence of the central government at the grassroots is capable of frustrating the rural dwellers. Also, Laski (1975) cited on Ola and Tonwe (2009) observe that:
We cannot realize the full benefit of democratic government unless we begin by the admission that all problems in their incidence require decision at the place, and by the persons by whom the incidence is most deeply felt.
The decentralization of government activities allows active involvement of the citizens at all levels and makes government participatory. The complexity and dynamism of the contemporary government all over the world requires decentralization of government business for efficient and effective administrative convenience and service delivery. Also, the diverse language, culture, norms, customs, population and environmental peculiarities of units makes local government a veritable level of administration to accommodate the peculiarities of each unit for peaceful coexistence of the whole. All over the world problem, needs and agitation begins from the grassroots which are part of the whole. The whole that could either be federal, national or central will have its effectiveness on its population when the source is always into consideration in policy making, implementation and evaluation.
In Nigeria, local government administration was created, mainly for administrative convenience of the colonial masters and later for service delivery among the rural dwellers that are far from the central government. The relevance and continue existence of local government as an institution is predicted among others, on the need to engender and promote local autonomy; enhance participatory democracy at the grassroots; promote the efficient utilization of local resources; provide local services; and serve as vehicle for rural socio-economic development (Ademolekun, 1983; Ola, 1984; Bello-Iman, 1996; Olowu, 2000; Ekpe, 2012. cited in Abe and Omotoso 2014:184).
The philosophy of local government administration is to get the people at the grassroots involve in the administration of themselves in leadership section, by finding solutions to the challenges of their immediate environment through formulation and implementation of policies for their wellbeing. The idea of local government involvement in democratic process is to ensure the participation of the rural dwellers in the governing process and development of the grass root which will eventually cumulates to national development.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
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 study 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. 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.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The main objective of this study is to investigate local government and service delivery in Nigeria. Other specific objectives are to:
- Determine whether local governments in Nigeria play their statutory role of service delivery to residents.
- Assess the effectiveness of local governments in Nigeria in the provision of basic amenities.
- Assess the effectiveness of local governments in Nigeria in service delivery.
- Determine the factors affecting the effectiveness of local governments in service delivery.
1.4 Research Questions
The research will seek to answer the following questions:
- Does local governments in Nigeria play their statutory role of service delivery to residents?
- How effective are local governments in Nigeria in the provision of basic amenities?
- What is the effectiveness of local governments in Nigeria in service delivery?
- What are the factors affecting the effectiveness of local governments in service delivery? Poor leadership, inadequate financing, corruption, insecurity, over population.
1.5 Research Hypotheses
- Ho: The local governments in Nigeria are not effective in service delivery.
- Ha: The local governments in Nigeria are effective in service delivery.
1.6 Significance of the Study
A study of this nature is significant in a number of respects. Firstly, the study is timely and in accordance with national priority. Social service delivery since the inception of democratic governance in Nigerian in May 1999 has been a subject of national debate and concern. For instance, in attempt to improve service delivery of public institutions, Obasanjo (2004) notes the as government actors we dedicate ourselves to providing the basic services to which each citizen is entitled in a timely, fair, honest, effective and transparent manner. Government’s commitment at improving service delivery in Nigeria at federal, state and local government levels should be listed as priority because Nigerians have for too long been feeling short-changed by the quality of public service delivery by which decisions are not made without undue outside influence, and files do not move without being pushed with inducements.
Secondly, the study is significant because it will expand the frontier of knowledge by identifying factors influencing service delivery in Nigerian Local Government Areas. These factors when clearly identified will go a long way in providing answers to questions like why service delivery has not improved in Nigerian local government councils despite huge financial allocations from the Federation Account.
Furthermore, the research is justified on the grounds that its recommendations will enhance policy decisions of government agencies like the Local Government Service Commission. In addition, members of the public will find the paper an educative and resource material. Future researchers on service delivery in Nigerian Local Government Areas will find the study a rich resource material for their research. A study of this nature is a training ground for the conduct of cutting edge research in the field of Public Administration and Local Government Studies.
1.7 Scope of the Study
This study focuses on the local government and service delivery in Nigeria, with specific reference to Kontagora Local Government Area. The study will by extension delve into the factors affecting the effectiveness of local governments in service delivery.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. However, the researcher were able to manage these just to ensure the success of this study.
Moreover, the case study method utilized in the study posed some challenges to the investigator including the possibility of biases and poor judgment of issues. However, the investigator relied on respect for the general principles of procedures, justice, fairness, objectivity in observation and recording, and weighing of evidence to overcome the challenges.
1.9 Definition of Terms
Local Government
A local government is a government at the grassroots level of administration meant for the meeting peculiar grassroots need of the people.
Quality Service:
This is a comparison of perceived expectations of a service with perceived performance.
1.10 Organizations of the Study
The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study, sample size determination, sample size, and selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.
Chapter Five
Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations:
5.1 Introduction
This chapter summarizes the findings on local government and service delivery in Nigeria using Kontagora Local Government Area as a case study. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.
5.2 Summary of the Study
In this study, our focus was to examine local government and service delivery in Nigeria using Kontagora Local Government Area as a case study. The study was specifically carried out to determine whether local governments in Nigeria play their statutory role of service delivery to residents; assess the effectiveness of local governments in Nigeria in the provision of basic amenities; assess the effectiveness of local governments in Nigeria in service delivery; and determine the factors affecting the effectiveness of local governments in service delivery.
The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 50 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent were employees of staff of Kontagora Local Government Area.
5.3 Conclusions
Based on the findings of this study, the researcher concluded that;
- Local governments in Nigeria play their statutory role of service delivery to residents, however local governments in Nigeria are not effective in the provision of basic amenities, and service delivery in general.
- The factors affecting the effectiveness of local governments in service delivery include; poor leadership, inadequate financing, corruption, insecurity, and man power issues.
5.4 Recommendations
Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are proffered.
- 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.
- Local governments should also capitalize on the willingness of the local communities and systematically plan and finance quick impact projects that are sustainable and beneficial to all. The recent practice of local governments in enhancing service delivery capacity should therefore be sustained and strengthened.
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