CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
The struggle for Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria
has been a recurring issue. It is as old as the history of Nigeria colonial state. Local government
Administration practiced anywhere in the world is largely dependent on the
historical, geographical, political and economic life of the citizens. Nigeria
with a long history of slavery. Colonization, as well as military and civilian
administration which have to a large extent determined the system of local
government Administration up till date. This work intend accessing the various
reforms or ordinance that the local government system in has
witnessed since 1914 during the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern
protectorate by Fredrick Lord Laggard.
The Local Government during this period of 1914 is
based on the Native Authority system whereby indirect rule and exploitation was
the order of the day. According to Ogunna (1996), Native Authority is the
traditional political authority at the Local Level which formed part of the
machinery of British colonial government charged with the responsibilities of
maintaining law and order. Based on the Native Authority ordinance of 1916, a
unified Local Government System was established in the Northern part because of
their Emirate system of Administration practice before the colonial
Administration. This Native Authority was later extended to the East and South with
varying degree of success. This native Authority did not satisfy the needs and
aspiration of the local people and it arouse agitation from the rural citizens
especially from the educated elites in the southern craving or desiring for a
greater participation in their own affair.
The Native Authority Ordinance failed because it
has no autonomy to meet up with the demands of the citizen and as a result, the
first Local Government reform was ushered in. Thus after the second World War
in 1945, the colonial policies on Local Government changed coupled with the
demands for greater participation and this led to the adoption of the
representative or liberal democratic system of Local Government in the 1950s.
The 1950 Local Government reform serves as a
foundation on which modern Local Government was built in as it
abolished the native Authority system. This reform paved way for the following
features in Local Government system; it has a three tier system (country,
district and local council), it was granted the power of taxation as a source
of funding, it introduced popularly elected Local Government council but the
franchise is based on tax payers and it equally recognize that the Local
Government should be given adequate autonomy as the council were given
financial and Administrative power. According to Ogunna (1996). This reform
introduced representative democratic Local Government system on the negative side.
It suffered from conflicts among the tiers, inadequate funding, poor staffing,
bribery and mal administration. As a result of these problems coupled with
intense politicking, no reform could be initiated until the military seized power
in 1966 which rudely terminated the first republic. The 1966 Local Government
reform was to correct the ills of the Local Government system they inherited.
However, all these reforms did not ensure a
complete autonomy of Local Government system until the introduction of the 1976
Local Government reform under the military administration of General Olusegun
Obasanjo. This reform marked a turning point in Local Government Administration
in the country. This reform were the federal government response to the
recommendation of Chief Jerome Udoji public service review commission of 1974. The
reform aim to make the Local Government more effective in their primary role of
bringing development to the grassroots. It established a multi-purpose single
tier system throughout the country, with the same structure and function. Local
Government were recognized as a third tier of government with the federal
structure. It provided for the Local Government to receive their statutory
allocation from Federal Government through the State
Government. They were democratized through popular
or indirect election. The Local Government were given specific function to
perform and enshrined in the fourth schedule of the 1979 constitution. Local
Government were granted a relatively high level of autonomy.
From all indications, this reform is very
important and distinct from other reforms and that is why Adamolekun (1979:3)
has observed, what distinguished the 1976 Local Government reform from all the
previous reform exercise in the country is the formal and clearly recognition
of the Local Government as constituting a distinct level of government with
definite boundaries, clearly stated functions and provision for ensuring
adequate human and financial resources.
Despite all these constitutional provisions which
granted the Local Government autonomy in all ramifications, there is still
little or no development they have brought to the rural dwellers which ought to
be their utmost share from the National cake.
At this juncture, the researcher is solely directed
at accessing the impact, status, entity and autonomous existence of Nsukka
Local Government in the development of their grass root.
1.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The
rate of interference and control which the State and Federal Government put on
Nigerian Local Government cannot be over emphasized. This which has eaten up
the Local Government, does not only affect the Local Government Chairmen and Councilors
but as well as the local people who feel neglected in the National cake,
resources, and revenue allocations, the high rate of over dependency by the
Local Government on the federal and state Government in terms of finance
administration. Some Authors, scholar and Administrator argue that this tier of
government should be scraped away irrespective of it’s constitutional and legal
frame work.
To
the Chairman and Councilors, it posses a problem as regards to law making,
policies and implementation functions allocated to them by the constitution.
Administratively,
the personnel and human resources management of the Local Government in term of
recruitment, promotion, security and disciplines staff within it’s area of
jurisdiction is not free and fair. The State and Federal Government control
them through the introduction of the integrated staff system.
Financially,
Local Government do not enjoy autonomy. Their freedom to impose local taxes,
generate and allocate revenue within it’s assigned source, allocates it’s
financial and material resources, determine and authorize it’s budget is
greatly influence by both the Federal and State Government. The statutory
allocation which they receive through the State -joint Local Government Account
is highly hampered by the State Governors.
Therefore,
it is these view that the researcher deem it necessary to examine and access
how autonomous Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu state is in relation to
grass root development.
1.2
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The main objectives of this research work is to
determine the issues and way forward for Local Government Autonomy using Nsukka
Local Government Area of Enugu State as a case study.
However,
in specific terms, the study is based at the following points:
I To acertain whether the process of law
making and policy implementation by the Councilors and Chairmen affects the
grass root development of Nsukka Local Government Area.
ii To determine how the personnel
Administration of Nsukka Local Government Area hampers it’s grass root
development
iii To determine whether State interference in
the financial allocation of Nsukka Local Government affects it’s grass root
development.
1.3 RESEARCH
QUESTION
The following research questions has been
constructed as a guide to the success of this research work in order to obtain
a useful result.
I To what extent has the process of law making and
policy implementation by the Councilors and Chairmen affects the grass root development of Nsukka Local Government
Area.
ii To what extent has the personnel
Administration in Nsukka Local Government hampers it’s grass root development.
iii To what extent has the State interference
in the financial allocation of Nsukka Local Government affects it’s grass root
development.
1.4 STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS
Ho: Law making process and policy implementation
by the Councilors and Chairmen does not affect the grass root development of
Nsukka Local Government Area.
Hi: Law making process and policy implementation
by the councilors and chairman does not affect the grass root development of
Nsukka Local Government Area.
Ho: The personnel Administration of Nsukka local
government does not hamper it’s grass root development.
Hi: The personnel Administration of Nsukka local
government does not hamper it’s grass root development.
Ho: The State interference in the financial allocation
of Nsukka Local Government does not affect it’s grass root development.
Hi: The State interference in the financial
allocation of Nsukka Local Government does not affect it’s grass root
development.
1.5
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
The researcher employ General system theory in the
course of this work.
This theory has so many writers on it such as
Almond (1960),
(1965), Adamolekun (1983) and Offiong (1996). This theory argue that every
system, including political system has a sub-system, including political system
has a sub-system which make up the entire system. They have assigned function
and provided with enabling empowerment, including resources, appropriate authority
that enable them discharge their responsibility optimally.
Applying this brief exposition of the political
system analysis to the Nigerian local government system, the local government
in the country constitute the sub-system. They must be handled well in terms of
being fed with adequate inputs (that is resources and appropriate authorities)
as provided in the constitution of the federal of
so that they can contribute appropriately to the goals of Nigerian political
system as well as it’s stability. Form these, it is very useful to realize the importance
of the general system theory in handling Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria.
They has been assigned with responsibilities to
perform which benefit the people, not as part of Federal or State Government. So,
if Local Government is not treated as a sub-system, it will bring frustration
to the performance of their function and on the long run bring dissatisfaction
among the rural people and their National cake will be neglected too.
1.6
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This research work would be of benefit to the
rural people in Nsukka Local Government of Enugu State. At the end of this
work, the rural people will be able to enjoy their constitutional right which
is rural development and when such is granted to them, they will no longer feel
neglected in the National cake which has been their utmost need from the Local
Government.
For scholars, researchers and Authors, they could
also use or gather information to review this work and also use it as a
reference to any related work they are writing since this work is reliable and
validated.
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
Local Government Autonomy and Grass root
development. A of study of Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.
1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The researcher encountered so many constraint
while carrying out this research work. The problems and the solutions are as
follows: lack of power supply by the
electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) Since power supply has been a serious
problem in Oko community, the researcher re-schedule reading at night to day
time so as to avoid the problem of power supply.
Lack of fund: This problem was solved as it propel the
researcher to borrow money from friend and families to supplement the cash saved
before this work.
Lack of time: The researcher adjusted most of it’s programmes
that does not add any value to the success of this work.
Lack of
material: Since there is no
sufficient material for the research work, the researcher joined a study group
were most of the problems confronting the work is discussed and settle. The
researcher equally made out time to visit the cyber café for more information
so as to supplement the information gotten from study group.
These
are the problems encountered by the researcher and how the researcher equally
over come it so as to make this work successful.
1.9 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
The following terms are used in this study which
have unique meaning that could be subjected to different meaning form different
persons; are defined as follows:
GOVERNMENT: It is a machinery through which the will of a State
(country) is formulated expressed and attained
AUTONOMY: It is the freedom for a country, a region or an
organization to govern itself independently; the ability to act and make
decision without being controlled by anyone.
REFORM: This means the improvement or amendment of what is
wrong, corrupt and unsatisfactory.
ORDINANCE: It is a degree or law promulgated by a state or
National Government without the consent of the legislature such as for raising
revenue through new taxes or mobilization of resources during an emergency.
AUTHORITY: It is define as the process or right to give order
and enforce obedience.
ALLOCATION: It means an authorization to incur expenses or
obligation up to a specific amount, purpose and within a specified period.
ENTITY
EXISTENCE: A Government or organization is said to be an
entity if it has the ability with essential corporate power, names to engage
into contract, sue and be sued and acquire properties.
DEVELOPMENT: It means a process in whitish something passes by
degree to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage).
GOVERNEMENT AS
A TIER: A government
character and entity existence.
NATIVE: Characteristics of or existing by virtue of
geographic origin.
ADMINISTRATION:
Is all about getting things done
with co-coordinated effort of man using effective use of other available
resources to get things done.
PERSONNEL
MANAGEMENT: It is that part of
management process which is primarily concerned with human constituents in an
organization.
CONSTITUTION: It is a whole body, fundamental laws, custom
belief etc according to a particular state operation.