IMPACT OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN NIGERIA

1.1 Introduction

Inter-governmental relations have become very crucial in the administration of countries all over the world, more importantly in states with federal system of government. In Nigeria for instance, the concepts has become so important in the operation of the Nigerian state that this concept has made it to be institutionalized in the government operation. The local government in Nigeria is the closest government to the people especially those who reside in rural areas. It is most important institution which can be used as a tool for motivating and encouraging self-help in rural areas as well as helping rural dwellers participate in the process of decision making at the local level (Eluwa, 2012). It is a well known fact by practitioners and scholars that local government is a viable tool for rural transformation and delivery of social service to the people (Enefiok and Ekpe, 2014).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

Inter-governmental relations are more of an issue in Federal systems. Thus, intergovernmental relations offers, more opportunity, and permits the three tiers of government (The Federal, State and Local Governments) to complement the efforts of one another in the running of the affairs of the country. In any federal system of government, there is the constitutional division of powers and authorities between the levels of governments. Such powers are divided into the exclusive, concurrent and the residual lists. These divisions forbid any level of government from usurping the power of the other, yet provide wide arena for cooperation and opportunity for expanding joint actions. It therefore, follows that maintenance of effective inter-governmental relations and cooperation is of importance for the functioning of the federal system of government (Toluhi, 2011).

Local government, which is the third tier of government in Nigeria have undergone various reform towards making the system more efficient and effective in rural development autonomy introduced by Mohammed/Obasanjo regime. The 1976 local government reform was a local government in Nigeria. According to Okoli (2005) the idea behind the entire exercise was to make local government an effective stratum of government rather than leaving them more appendages to their various states government. The concept of Intergovernmental relations is associated with states having a Federal Administration system where the relationships between the Federal, Central or National Governmental and major sub-national unit (province, region or state) formally spelt out in constitution. The goals of intergovernmental relations are said to be to promote peace and harmony among the three tiers of government, which are the Federal, State and Local Government.

In any system of government where there is intergovernmental relations, the goal is to promote peace and harmony among the tiers of government as well as to accelerate a self-reliant economy and minimize intergovernmental conflict among the various levels of government. In addition, intergovernmental relations help to boost socio-economic integration through the activities of the levels of government.

This relationship enhances the emergence of cooperation rather than competitive federation. Moreover, inter-governmental relations help to accelerate effective and efficient utilization of human and material resources among the three levels of government. This helps to reduce the problems and challenges of rural-urban migrations together with rural poverty. Inter-governmental relations according to Sani (2013) can be vertical or horizontal. In a vertical relation, it takes the form of the relationship between the central and state, and between the state and the local governments. Horizontally, inter-governmental relations take place when governments at the same levels in the political structure interact. This takes the form of inter-state relationship or inter-local government relationship.

In all intergovernmental relationships, there is the recognition of the local government as the third tier of government. This recognition should be able to grant the local government relative autonomy and some level of jurisdictional powers, which must be recognized by the constitution. This study therefore attempts to examine the impact of intergovernmental relations on the local government administration in Nigeria.

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Impact of Intergovernmental Relations in Local Government.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that the Nigeria political sphere and governance intergovernmental relations among the levels of government have been in disarray due to unhealthy rivalry. The problem is not unconnected to the dissatisfaction in the distribution of functions among the levels of government and lack of adequate tax powers allocated to the states and local government in relation to their functions, undue removal of local government elected chairman by the state governors through their audit powers, joint state – local government account, and shortening of the tenure of local government chairmen, during other factors. In previous studies and research work, scholars and researcher have discussed various issues that bring about conflict between local government and others levels of government, but not much work as been done in providing solution to such conflictual relationship.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to examine the Impact of Intergovernmental Relations in Local Government in Nigeria. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To determine the main sources of conflict among the various levels of government in inter-governmental relations in Nigeria;
2. To assess measures required for an improved inter-governmental relations in Nigeria;
3. To determine the relevance of inter-governmental relations in Nigeria; and
4. To recommend solutions to inter-jurisdictional conflict among the various levels of government.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Did the constitution make any provision for intergovernmental relations in Nigeria?
• What are the areas of intergovernmental relations in Nigeria?
• What is the relevance of intergovernmental relations in local government in Nigeria?
• What are the causes of conflicts between the levels of government in Nigeria?
• What effects has intergovernmental relations had in Local Government Administration?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There is no significant relationship between inter-government relationship and local government administration.
• H1: There is significant relationship between inter-governmental relationship and local government administration.

Hypothesis Two

• H0: Prospect of inter-governmental relations cannot bring about sustainable service delivery in Nkanu East Local Government of Enugu State.
• H1: Prospects of inter-governmental relations can bring about sustainable service delivery in Nkanu East Local Government of Enugu State.

1.7 Significance of Study

This study will be of great benefit to Nkanu East Local Government of Enugu State. This is because it will be exposed to the challenges it is facing in inter-government relations. It would be of great significance to researchers by way of making them aware of problems that have been uncovered by these researchers, so that they would know where to start from in their subsequent research work in the area of inter-governmental relations in Nigeria.

The study would also be useful to students when doing a likely research. The study would be significant to policy makers and policy implementers, as they would make use of the findings and recommendations of this study.

1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on Impact of Intergovernmental Relations in Local Government in Nigeria using Nkanu East Local Government of Enugu State as a case study.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this establishment to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
3. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
4. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
5. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

1.10 Definition of Terms

Local Government: A unit of administration with constitutionally defined territory and powers, and it is the tier of government closest to the people.

Inter-governmental: A process that involve the interaction between various level of government, informing the policy formulation and implementation.

Administration: The process and activity that involve controlling, organizing and managing of an organization.