Local Government as the third tier of Government in Nigeria is the closest government to the people as it deals with the people from the grassroots level. It is therefore, pertinent to stress that its importance is significant in the socio-economic and political life of a nation like Nigeria where majority of the teeming populace resides in rural communities.
Thus, for this concern, the role of Local Government Administration cannot be over emphasized and hence clearly spelt out in the 1999 Constitution in the fourth schedule. The following responsibilities are therefore listed below:-
a. The consideration and the making of recommendations to a State Commission on Economic Planning or any similar body on:
– The economic development of the State, particularly in so far as the areas of authority of the Council of the State are affected, and
– Proposal made by the said Commission;
b. Collection of rates, radio and television licenses;
c. Establishment and maintenance of cemeteries, burial grounds and homes for the destitute or infirm;
d. Licensing of bicycles, trucks (other than mechanically-propelled trucks), canoes, wheel barrows and carts;
e. Establishment, maintenance and regulation of slaughter houses, slaughter slabs, markets, motor parks and public conveniences;
f. Construction and maintenance of roads, streets, streets lightings, drains and other public highways, parks, gardens, open spaces, or such public facilities as may be prescribed from time to time by the House of Assembly of a State;
g. Naming of roads and streets, and numbering of houses;
h. Provision and maintenance of public conveniences, sewage and refuse disposal;
i. registration of all birth, death and marriages;
j. assessment of privately owned houses or tenements for the purpose of levying such rates as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly of a State; and
k. Control and regulation of movement and keeping of pets of all descriptions, out-door advertising and hoarding, shops kiosks, restaurants, bakeries and other places for the sale of food to the public, laundries and licensing for the sale liquor.
Moreover, apart from the aforementioned exclusive functions, Local Government is also empowered by the same constitution to provide and maintain primary, adult and vocational education; the development of agriculture and natural resources other than the exploitation of minerals, the provision and maintenance of health services and such other functions as may be conferred on a Local Government Council by the House of Assembly of a State.
At this juncture, it is worthy to note that these roles are performed exclusively by the Local Government as enshrined by the Constitution of the country. But on the other hand, some other roles are concurrently played with the State Government. Among these includes primary education, agriculture, health and other functions that may be conferred on Local Government by the House of Assembly of the State.
In view of this, it can be observed that the roles and responsibilities of Local Government are quite enormous and demanding. The tragedy of the situation is that Local Governments have very limited and circumscribed sources of revenue to enable them execute meaningfully and effectively the functions and responsibilities assigned to them.
Hitches and Challenges
Some of the hitches and challenges affecting local government administration in Nigeria are:
a. Existence of triple laws;
b. Absence of democratically elected local government councils;
c. Abuse of joint account establish by the 1999 constitution; and
d. Diversion of funds meant for local government councils;
Culled From: The 1999 Constitution And The Roles Of Local Governments In Nigeria: Hitches And The Way Forward
By Musa K. Umar