Repositioning Local Government System in Nigeria for Efficient Service Delivery: The Need for Constitutional Review

Abstract

A lot of powers were given to the States over Local Government Councils by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Sates in exercise of these powers has reduced Local Governments from being a tier of national government to a mere administrative appendage of the states. This overbearing influence of State on Local Government has seriously undermined the efficiency of local government system in Nigeria. Efforts were made in this work to identify areas of constitutional controversies, upon which States exercise powers and manipulations over Local Government councils, and as well to understand the impacts a constitutional review would have on efficient local government system in Nigeria. To achieve this, the study formulated three hypotheses, and adopted descriptive survey using questionnaire to elicit information from over 168 respondents purposively selected among employees of local government system in Nigeria. The study is anchored on Efficiency Services Theory which postulates that the efficiency of local government system is measured by its ability to provide services to the local populace. Statistical analysis of data collected and testing of hypotheses revealed that; there are constitutional provisions about local government system in Nigeria, but, the constitution did not guarantee the independence of local government as a tier of national government. Also discovered is that States exercise powers over local government system in Nigeria, and these powers are derived from the constitution; and that a review of the constitution will guarantee efficient local government system in Nigeria. Base on the findings above, the study recommends among others; A review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, complete autonomy of local government system to be enshrined in the constitution, and adequate measures to ensure that local government councils funds are tied properly to projects that are relevant to the rural populace.