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sufficient powers and levels of authority devolved, local governments can therefore be expected to make significant contributions to the development process. In this unit we are going to examine the commission type of local government and see its contributions to growth and development of local government.
2.0 Objectives
By the end of this unit, the students should be able to do the followings:
i. Explain the commission type of local government ii. Identify its main characteristics
iii. State the merits of this system of local government
3.0 Main Content
133 4.0 Conclusion
The Manager is charged with the responsibility of the management of the local government with a high degree of autonomy from the Council which exercises ultimate control. The Council which is popularly elected by the people is responsible for the making of bye-laws and policies. The Mayor presides over the council and performs the ceremonial functions of the Local Government. The Mayor (chairman) has no veto power. The status of the Mayor is that of premus inter pares in relation with the members of the Council who exercise its authority in a collective body. The manager, an experienced and professional expert in administration and management, is the focal point and corner stone of the system. He is either elected or appointed by the general body of the Council for an indefinite term subject to good performance.
He is the Chief Executive of the local government. As the manager of the local government, he runs the council in a business-like manner. Hence, he adopts appropriate management styles and techniques in the conduct of the Council’s business.
5.0 Summary
In this form, the local government is likened to a business company, the council playing the role of the Board of Directors, and the manager that of the general manager. The manager is governed by the civil service principles of political neutrality, anonymity, security of tenure and professionalism. The primary goal of the system is high productivity and effectiveness in the provision of local services. This type was experimented in the former Western State of Nigeria under the Local Government Reform of April 1973. Its distinguishing characteristic is that the Local Government Administration is management-oriented with its emphasis on achievement of set targets and goals, and hence result-oriented.
6.0 Tutor Marked Assignment
iv. Discuss the working of commission type of local government v. What are the main features of the system
vi. Identify the major strength of this system of local government.
134 7.0 Further Reading Materials
Blan (1977) Government at the Grassroots, Califoma: Pulisader Publishers.
Obi, M. (1995) “The Structure of Local Government in Nigeria” In Ikejiani-Clark M.
and F.C. Okoli (eds) Local Government in Nigeria, Current Problems and Future Challenges, Lagos, Mangrove Publications.
Ogunna, A.E.C. (1996) A Handbook on Local Government in Nigeria.Owerri Versatile Publishers.
Okolie, D. and Eze, E. (2006) Local Government Administration: Concepts and Applications, Enugu John Jacob Classic Publishers.
MODULE EIGHT
UNIT TWENTY-FIVE: ROLE AND PROBLEMS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
1.0 Introduction 2.0 Objectives
3.0 Role of Local Government in National Development 4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
6.0 Tutor Marked Assignments (TMA) 7.0 Further Reading Materials
1.0 Introduction
In this section we shall attempt to discuss in greater detail, the crucial role of decentralized institutions like Local Government in the development process.
One of the major shortcomings of earlier development efforts in most countries of the Third World was the over-centralization of the process-the top-down approach.
Unsuccessful results from this approach has brought about a rethinking which eventually manifested in the need for a decentralization of both structures (machinery) and process of development. As the World Bank acknowledge, decentralization or
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‘local control’, … provides the flexibility needed for proper integration and timing of activities, and for the modifications of programs in response to changing conditions.
Community involvement, which is essential to a sustained development process, is greatly facilitated by local rather than centralized control. One particular advantages is that the problems of the community, as perceived by its residents and those imputed by local officials tend to be more easily reconciled.
2.0 Objectives
By the end of this unit, the students should be able to do the followings:
i. Trance the concept of decentralization, deconcentration and devolution.
ii. Discuss the possible contributions of local governments to the Development process.
iii. State the three major areas that the contributions of local government in national development can be grouped.
3.0 Main Content