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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | A review of Nigerian government's regulatory efforts to enhance local government autonomy |
Authors: | Imhanlahimi, Joseph E. Ikeanyibe, M.O. |
Year: | 2009 |
Periodical: | African Administrative Studies (ISSN 0007-9588) |
Issue: | 72 |
Pages: | 79-105 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Nigeria |
Subjects: | local government central-local government relations |
Abstract: | Local governments in Nigeria have anchored their ineffectiveness largely on the inadequate autonomy granted to them. Yet the government of Nigeria has put in place a number of checks and balances, through constitutional, legal and administrative provisions and procedures, to enhance the autonomy of local government. These include the 1976 watershed local government reforms, and regulatory provisions for electing representative local government councils and for determining the size, finances, staffing and bureaucratic or management base of local government. However, little or no respect is accorded many of these provisions and guidelines by the higher level governments (state and federal). The constitutional and legal provisions and administrative guidelines are far from being implemented. Moreover, local government itself assumes a 'passive posture' in the pursuit of intergovernmental relations. Local government operations often lack transparency and accountability and there is a high level of corruption. This considerably weakens local government autonomy. Recommendations to ameliorate the situation include respect for and abiding by the constitutional, legal and administrative arrangements by all tiers of government and respect for the rule of law. Local governments should also work harder to increase their internal revenue generation. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract, edited] |