EFFECT OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Need help with a related project topic or New topic? Send Us Your Topic
DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE PROJECT MATERIAL
EFFECT OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Chapter one
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
According to Laleye M. (2008) “Local Government in West Africa Since Independence”
Local government is described as a government established by law to carry out certain functions within defined boundaries. Local governments in Nigeria face higher problems than other levels of government because they are responsible for promoting equal social and economic development at the grassroots.
The chairman of the council is supposed to establish work plans and budgetary implications, manage and supervise the allocation of financial and human resources, and monitor project implementation.
Unfortunately, in addition to lacking the above requirements, elected and civil service officials at the local government lack the ability to establish excellent working relationships, build consensus, negotiation skills
and the commitment to develop partnership for improved development effectiveness throughout all the Local Government in Akwa Ibom State, there are major cases and allegations of grass misconduct levelled against the chairman, councillor.
Lack of transparency and accountability, gross and wanton breaches of financial regulation and procedures, corrupt enrichment of self, outright embezzlement of local government funds, misappropriation of funds through superiors’ contracts
and alleged execution of non-existent projects, dishonest fraudulent, and violation of the local government administrative laws 2000 and 2002 as applicable in Akwa Ibom state.
Local governments have the long-term authority to manage their communities.
The purpose of this research is to investigate the extent to which transparency and accountability in local government administration have improved or increased the standard of living of people in rural areas, with Uyo Local Government serving as a case study.
Local government in Nigeria has existed since the emergence of political institutions in pre-colonial Nigeria. The numerous empires, kingdoms, chiefdoms, and community states that existed prior to the establishment of modern Nigeria all had types of governance that affected the local population.
For example, in the old Oyo and Benin empires, there were sometimes three to four tiers of government: the central government, the provincial government, the district government, and the village government.
The authority of the Alafin or Oba was represented at each tier of government, and tributes and tolls were collected at each tier for the general administration of the empire. The same system was true of the Fulani empire in the nineteenth century, which was structurally composed of However
it is widely accepted that the history of local government in Nigeria began with the British’s establishment of indirect control. Lord Lugard, the first governor general of Nigeria following the union of the Southern and Northern Protectorates in 1914, explained and popularised the concept.
He was the first to institute indirect rule as a form of governance in the territory encompassed by the old Fulani empire, and he expanded the system to other parts of Nigeria after becoming governor general.
It is stated that the technique was based on his experiences in East Africa. He thought the system acceptable because it made administration very cheap in terms of both manpower and money resources, as he had to rely heavily on the local people and their political institutions.
Statement of the Problem
Based on all indications, local government administration as a whole is expanding in scope on a daily basis, with corresponding increases in duties.
This means that Local Government management requires people who are not only academically qualified, but also have the initiative to lead, enthuse, and guide others.
The local government, like any other organisation, requires a chairman or head of council who is skilled in subjects and courses such as financial accounting, human resources, marketing, and information management, all of which are part of any business school curriculum.
To achieve significant development, local governments must improve their financial management, which is plagued by a number of issues. Local governments encounter challenges such as government regulations that prevent them from fully exercising their duties.
Poverty levels in rural areas are extremely high. Most residents are aware that they should pay taxes but are unable to do so due to financial constraints or a refusal to accept the fact that what is paid is believed to be squandered.
The high level of corruption that has permeated society has had an impact on the performance of most local governments. A considerable percentage of the income generated is either diverted to private pockets or traceable to enterprises that provide no direct benefit to society as a whole.
The authorities’ dedication to their duties appears to be at its lowest. Despite widespread embrace of information technology, none of the municipal governments have computerised their operations. This in no way impedes sound financial management, accountability, or openness.
1.2 Objective of the Study
The following are the goals of this study project. This project endeavour aims to
Examining the impact of transparency and accountability measures in Nigerian Local Government administration.
It also intends to investigate the problems encountered in maintaining transparency and accountability standards in Local Government administration.
The goal of this research is to investigate the extent to which transparency and accountability procedures can influence overall performance in local government administration.
The objective also includes an examination of the benefits of transparency and accountability policies in Nigerian local government administration.
1.3 Research Question.
The following are the research questions for this project. What influence do transparency and accountability policies have on local government administration in Nigeria?
What are the challenges faced in ensuring transparency and accountability standards in Local Government Administration?
What is the extent to which transparency and accountability practices may influence overall performance in Local Government Administration?
What are the benefits of transparent and accountable methods in Nigerian local government administration?
1.4 Significance of the Study
The government would greatly benefit from this research since it would make them aware that good transparency and accountability methods in Local Government administration are the only way to address the requirements of people at the grassroots level.
The government would also be allowed to determine the various ways or places in which they should invest their finances, as they are the sole financier of Local Government.
The public would also profit from this project since they would be more aware of the obligations and duties of the country’s Local Government Areas.
Various institutions would benefit from this project effort because it would act as a reference point for them.
It would also be beneficial to students studying Local Government Administration and other fields, as the majority of them aspire to serve on Local Government councils.
Many Local Government Administrators will find the study extremely important.
1.5 Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study focuses on the implications of transparency and accountability procedures in Nigerian Local Government Administration, with Uyo Local Government Area serving as a case study. The following limitations were encountered while carrying out this study.
This project’s work was additionally hampered by a lack of relevant literature materials on Local Government Administration in Nigeria.
Lack of time and funding impede the timely completion of this study effort; for example, the time spent visiting the Local Government Council to obtain more information was limited.
1.6 Definition of Terms
The terminologies used in this study effort are defined or described as follows:
Accountability is a requirement that requires the legislature to keep detailed records of public officers’ aims, resource use, and style of performance.
Administration: According to the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, “administration” refers to the management of affairs, particularly public affairs or government policy.
Law: A law or regulation enacted by a local government or a firm.
Democracy is a political system in which adult citizens have a wide range of decision-making opportunities.
authority: Any authority that effectively asserts a claim to exclusive regulation of the permissible use of physical force in enforcing its rule within a specific territorial area. It may also be local, state, or federal.
Strategy: A broad approach or policy for achieving specific goals.
Transparency is the state of being straightforward, honest, easy to understand, simple, or clear.
Taxation is the system of raising money through taxes.
Need help with a related project topic or New topic? Send Us Your Topic