CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
This study is a modest attempt at a lucid explanation of the role of local government in Nigeria.
Nigerian local government system has witnessed tremendous the transformation since the introduction of the 1988 civil service reforms one of the changes introduced at the local government is the direct payment of their statutory allocations which was also increased from 15%-20%, in addition, local government auditor was established by each sates government to ensure proper utilization of financial resources at the local level to avoid misappropriation of public fund. Also, all local governments now have a common structure that distinguishes them from service department.
Local government at any level have some roles such as;
The maintenances of law and order, the promotion of economic
and social development etc. They are left with considerable freedom to actual will for the interest of the local community. Form the administrative point of view, the government as an agent of development is well placed to help the rural areas to develop. These can be done by investing in social and economic infrastructure such as; roads, hospitals, bridges, schools, electricity and telecommunication. The other essential duties inherited by native authorities include; water supplies, markets and libraries. We generally regard the convenience list as including those extra amenities which makes life better in the communities other than the stated ones. These include; creation of bus and lorry parks, the regulation of land cards on the streets, community recreation centers, parks and open spaces, grazing areas and fuel plantations, the naming of streets and the numbering of houses These are recognized automatically as the responsibility of the local government. They also help in service of parks control and water supply, electricity and gas, the provision of road of transport and any other trading undertaking that the state government authorizes.