State-Joint Local Government Account and Governance Crisis at the Local Government in Nigeria

Abstract

The paper evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of State Joint Local Government Account (SJLGA) in the governance of local government in Nigeria. It also assesses impact of SJLGA on rural development. It examines the relationship between SJLGA and crisis of Governance. The paper adopted a survey approach to analyse primary data obtained from questionnaire and in-depth interviews. A sample size of 844 respondents was selected using proportionate random sampling from the study population (6,757). Data were analysed using regression, Pearson correlation and chi-square statistics. The study showed that State-Joint local government account (SJLGA) has not been efficient and effective in the governance of local government in Nigeria. The results also revealed that the SJLGA has made no positive significant impact on rural development rather it has eroded the principle of separation of powers between the state and local governments. The results further showed that the SJLGA has contributed to governance crisis at the local government in Nigeria. The paper concluded that the SJLGA is hindering the local government councils in Nigeria from performing their constitutional and statutory roles which is to enhance rural development and provide dividends of good governance.

Keywords: Efficiency, Effectiveness, State Joint Local Government Account, Governance Crisis, Rural Development