AN ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION AND SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Nnamani, Desmond O., Nwachukwu, Tochukwu & Ugwuibe, Amaechi

Department of Public Administration and Local Government

University of Nigeria, Nsukka

E-mail:  dungabrazil8@yahoo.com

Abstract: Local government is a vehicle to drive social service delivery for people in the grassroot; some obstacles undermined these services despite various reforms from military and civilian regimes in Nigeria. The paper will articulate some issues to address the responsive needs of the people in rural areas irrespective of the fat revenue accrued to local government from the federation account. The politics of do-or-die affair, undue interference from state and federal levels, constitutional provisions and unqualified personnel has decline the primary function of local government to the grass root. The paper x-rays some factors derailing socio-economic development to people in the rural areas with special reference to peasants who are at the receiving end of underdevelopment. The Nigerian political arrangement negates the essence of federalism which is decentralization but local level became highly centralized. The gross fiscal practice skewed was in favour of central government couple with unaccountability among political class thwart meaningful development efforts in the grass root. Local governments have refused to perform their constitutional roles, let alone address the social needs of people in the rural area due to emasculation by other tiers of government. An integrated rural development approach is de-factoring in ameliorating the responsive needs of rural populace. Also, the autonomy of local governments will help strengthen fiscal and political reforms to enhance sense of belonging and good governance to Nigerian grass root.