Unproductive tier of government and the need for reforms

THE UNPRODUCTIVE TIER OF GOVERNMENT (LOCAL GOVERNMENT) AND THE NEED FOR REFORMS.
                                  by
                 Nasiru Mustapha Mafindi.

Local government administration is seen as an agent of effective development, given the fact that, it is the nearest form of government to the citizenry.
As usual, the constitutional provisions regarding the existence of local government remained subject of willful interpretation by the state tier of government. Also, while certain legal interpretations were sought on “modus operandi;” the survival of the local government system was still subject to power game between the federal and state governments.
Local governments have been playing significant roles and contributing to the socio cultural well-being, economic and political development of Nigeria since the beginning of twenty-first century. These roles and contributions cover a very wide range of responsibilities and services which impact heavily on the livelihoods of individuals. They are for example key to determine where infrastructure should be located anywhere in Nigeria. They provide qualitative services which are crucial to our life such as primary education, primary healthcare, drinking water, rural roads, agriculture etc.
Despite the justification for the establishment of local government and its inevitable contributions to the socio-cultural, economic and political development as well as its importance to the people at the grassroots level, this level of government seems not to have justified the reasons for which it was established. Therefore, local governments in Nigeria are facing multifaceted problems and challenges in this twenty-first century.
The issues concerning local government administration in Nigeria. The payment of salaries of local government staffers have been in the front burner. Ironically, the blame is heaped on state governments in the country. They believe that it is the state governments that are withholding their salaries and other benefits.
local government operations and performance present an enigma in terms of justifying the reason for their creation, the demands and expectations from local government councils over the years have been on the increase while the finance required to deliver the dividends of democracy and good administration at the grassroots continue to dwindle, inadequate, mismanaged and misappropriated.
Local government administration in Nigeria  have been characterized by poor spending mentality, poor accounting systems, unavailability of reliable data required for planning, over-politicization,  poor revenue collection, zeal for corruption by  greedy senior management and staff, lack of direction, over bloated staff which hampers its growth and development.
The statutory allocations from the monthly Federation Account is inadequate to cover the financial obligations of local government councils in terms staff salaries, social services.
                                          to be continue.....