AN APPRAISAL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCILS EFFORTS TOWARDS RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract
The central aim or focus of this paper is to highlight the role of local
government (being the closest tier of government to the grassroots) in rural
development. The paper posits that the Nigerian political arrangement
negates the essence of federalism (which is decentralization) by being
highly centralized. The fiscal practices grossly skewed in favour of the
central government couple with lack of accountability among the governing
elites conjoin to thwart efforts at meaningful development in the third tier of
governance. The paper is made up of Abstract; Introduction; Conceptual
Clarification; Self-help as an issue in rural development; Nexus between
local government and Rural Development; Approaches to Rural
Development, Conclusion and Recommendations. It concluded that local
governments have not been able to play their constitutional roles, let alone
making attempts at rural development due in the main to the fact that they
have been emasculated by other tiers of government. It suggested the
Integrated Rural Development (IRD) approach in view of its
comprehensiveness for sustainable rural development. The paper strongly
recommended autonomy for local governments. It further canvassed fiscal
and political reforms as avenues for strengthening governance in the
Nigerian local government system.

 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The interrelationship or complementary nature of these two subjects underscore their
relevance and study within the broad discipline of public administration. As Institutions of critical
importance, they are respectively the basic political organization, and the socio-economic activity. In
view of the critical importance therefore, what affects them determine whether or not Nigeria or other
third world nations develop.
Constitutionally, Local government represents the third tier of governmental organization in Nigeria –
the others being the Federal and State governments. Frequently, the term “Grassroots administration”
is employed as this has the additional advantage of graphically describing the location of this
governmental arrangement. In reality, it is not vested with the powers and resources that it deserves.
It is also ironical that the Nigerian situation negates the essence of federalism (which is
decentralization) by being highly centralized.
Elsewhere, where the ideals and strategies for effective development have been understood the correct
way, Local government is the focus of government efforts at promoting development. It becomes
obvious overtime that to effectively develop, the people must be adequately mobilized. A purposeful
combination of the local (peoples) effort/energies with that of government with the objective of
improving socio-economic conditions and encouraging political participation is a key factor in rural
development.
It represents the objective expression of the energies of mobilized rural communities in concrete and
tangible projects such as roads, clinics, schools, potable water and other communal initiatives that
benefit the people.

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