LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: A STUDY OF SOUTH EASTERN NIGERIA (2015-2023)

Abstract

This study examined Local Government and issues of National Development with specific focus on South East Nigeria as a reference. The specific objective of the study was to examine the extent to which Local Governments in South East Nigeria play roles in the provision of social amenities such as rural electrification, good road network, water supply and lots more. Three Research Questions guided the study which was used to draw the hypotheses used for the study. The study was anchored on Bureaucratic theory by Max Weber. The Population of the study was 23,429,200. Taro Yamane formula was used to draw 400 out of the population to form sample size. However, the researcher was able to retrieve 350 of the distributed questionnaire used in analysis. The study revealed that problems such as paucity of funds, issue of state local government joint account, lack of inter-government relations, corruption, embezzlement of public funds, and lack of qualified personnel among others accounted for poor performance of Local Governmenst. Despite these challenges, Local Government administration has played roles in national development. It was therefore recommended that these roles played by local government be expanded by constitutional review to enable it perform more constitutional functions.; that the various revenue generation windows of the Local Government towards National Development in South East Nigeria be increased and more revenue windows opened.; finally, the challenges confronting Local Government Administration in South East Nigeria in carrying out its constitutional roles towards National Development be seriously looked into so as to enable it perform better.