Impact Of Intergovernmental Fiscal Relation In Nigeria: A Study Of Obingwa Local Government Council

ABSTRACT The general objective of this work is to find out the impact of intergovernmental fiscal relations on the performance of Obingwa Local Government. Nigeria being a federation has three levels of government with the local governments being the lowest level of government saddled with the responsibility of providing public good to the people in their jurisdictions. Most local governments in the country have been underperforming and Obingwa local government is one of them. The type of research carried out here is a survey research and the methodology adopted is the sampling technic. Primary and secondary sources were used to gather necessary information for the purpose of the research and the sampling technics adopted are the stratified and purposive sampling technic. Oral interviews and questionnaire distribution was carried out on principal officers to ensure that the required information was gotten. After the collection of all data collected during the research, the researcher tested the hypothesis of the research using the chi square tool and discovered that some of the problems of Obingwa Local Government includes that it has more responsibilities than the finances that comes into it, it was also discovered that the nature of State Local Government Joint Account in Abia State contributes to the failure of Obingwa Local Government in carrying out its responsibilities and finally that Abia State government sometimes delays the release of federal and state allocations to Obingwa Local Government and this does not make way for proper functioning of the local government. Based on the findings, the researcher has recommended that the federal government set up a committee to investigate the current revenue/ taxing structure between the three levels of government and their responsibilities to ensure that local governments in the country have as much finances as their responsibilities. The researcher equally recommended that the state local government joint account be abolished from the constitution as this would grant more financial autonomy to Obingwa Local Government and also reduce or avoid the act of delaying of federal and state allocations meant for the local government by the state government. Finally, considering the findings and recommendations of the research, the researcher concludes that the impact of intergovernmental fiscal relations in Nigeria has not been favouring the local governments and this contributes to their poor performances in their area of jurisdict

TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page-----------I Certification Page--------II Dedication----------III Acknowledgement-------IV Abstract---------V List of Tables--------VI Acronyms---------VII
Chapter One: Introduction 1.1Background Of The Study------1 1.2Statement Of The Problem-------3 1.3Objectives Of The Study-------4 1.4Significance Of The Study-------5 1.5Scope And Limitation Of Study------7
Chapter Two: Literature Review And Methodology 2.1Literature Review--------8 2.2Theoretical Framework-------14 2.3Hypothesis---------20 2.4Clarification Of Key Concepts------20 2.5Research Procedure--------22 2.5.1 Type Of Study--------22 2.5.2 Data Gathering Instruments------22 2.5.3 Population Of The Study-------23 2.5.4 Sample Size Of The Study------23 2.5.5 Sampling Procedure-------24 2.5.6 Method Of Data Analysis -------25 2.5.7 Method Of Study--------25
CHAPTER THREE: BACKGROUND AND INFORMATION ON THE AREA OF STUDY 3.1Background Of Obingwa Local Government Area---26 3.2General Information--------28 3.3Geographic Location --------29 3.4Economic Activities--------30 3.5Culture Of The People-------31 3.6Functions OfObinwga Local Government Council---32 3.7Sources Of Revenue To Obingwa Local Government ---33 3.8State Of Affairs In Obingwa-------36 3.9Organizational Structure Of Obingwa Local Government Council- --38
CHAPTER   FOUR:   DATA   PRESENTATION,   ANALYSIS   AND FINDINGS 4.1Data Presentation and Analysis-------41 4.2Discussion of Findings-------- 4.2 Interpretation Of Interview Responses Of The Officials At The Ministry Of Local Government And Chieftaincy Affairs-----46 4.3Data Presentation And Analysis Based On Questionnaire Distributed To Obingwa Local Government-------50
CHAPTERFIVE:SUMMARY,RECOMMENDATIONAND CONCLUSION 5.1Summary---------79 5.2Recommendation---------82 5.3Conclusion--------84 Bibliography
Appendix A: Letter Of Respondents
Appendix B: Questionnaire