ABSTRACT
When the researcher chose this topic: THE PROBLEMS
OF EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF REVENUE AVAILABLE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT, she was
inspired by the high rate of embezzlement, poor leadership, low rate of
accountability, general laxity of the finance department and corruption in
Nigeria Local Government, and Aninri Local Government in particular. To do
this, the researcher developed four (4) Questions. This questions were
administered inform of questionnaires to 195 staff who were selected as a
sample of the population. Apart from this, secondary data were used. In
organizing and presenting data collected, tables and percentages were used as
well. The data analysis revealed that ineffective utilization of revenue in the
local government had created a negative impact in Aninri Local Government Area.
The researcher therefore recommended that the revenue available to local
government should be handled by honest and accountable personnel, those who
posses sound knowledge about revenue generation and utilization. The outcome
would be an effective and efficient management and utilization of local
government revenue in such a way that would deliver the needed development.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Approval Page ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgment iv
Abstract vi
Table of Content vii
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background
of the Study 1
1.2
Statement
of the Problem 4
1.3
Purpose of
the Study 6
1.4
Significance
of the Study 7
1.5
Delimitation/Limitation
of the study 8
1.6
Research
Questions 9
1.7
Definition
of Terms 10
References 13
CHAPTER
TWO
2.1
Theoretical
frame work 15
2.2
Brief
History of Aninri Local government 17
2.3
Functions
of Local Government Councils 22
2.4
Sources of
Revenue to Local Governments In Nigeria 26
2.5
Summary of
Aninri Local Government recurrent revenue and expenditure 29
2.6
The
problem of effective utilization of Revenue of Local Government 51
2.7
The impact
of the problems of effective utilization of revenue available to local
government 53
2.8
Solutions/way
forward to the problems of effective revenue utilizations
References 62
CHAPTER
THREE
3.1 Research
Design and Methodology 64
3.2
Sources of
data 65
3.3
Area/location
of Study 67
3.4
Population
of the Study 67
3.5
Sample and
Sampling Techniques 69
3.6
Establishing
the validity of the instruments 72
3.7
Establishing
the reliability of the instruments 72
3.8
Method of
data analysis 73
References 74
CHAPTER
FOUR
4.1 Data
presentation and analysis 75
CHAPTER
FIVE
5.0 Summary,
Conclusion and Recommendations 84
5.1
Summary of
Findings 84
5.2
Recommendations 87
5.3
Conclusion
89
Bibliography 91
Appendixes 94
CHAPTER
ONE
1.1 BACK GROUND OF THE STUDY
Nigeria as a sovereign nation operates a federal
system of government i.e the federal government, state government and the local
government councils.
Onwo (1992) Observed that each level of the three
tiers of government derive its powers not from the magnanimity of the central
government but from the constitution; each level of government has defined
responsibilities assigned to it by the constitution. The implication of this is
that the three segments of governments are mutually interrelated in a unified
effort to make life worth – while for the masses.
Aninri local government area was created out of
Awgu local government in October 1996 by the late head of state General Sani
Abacha. As one of the new local government councils, it is facing a very
serious crisis of development since its creation. Some problems facing the
council include: insufficient office accommodation, staff quarters and office
infrastructures. These problems seem to be insurmountable.
Indigenes of the local government are desirous of
enjoying modern facilities, improved means of transportation, such as good road
network and mass transit transport services. These desires are in line with
stated objectives of the local government
such as construction and
maintenance of roads, provision of health services such as maternity
homes, health centers, sanitization, provision of primary education and many
others – as sponsored by the federal military government. The federation
(Nigeria) years book of 1983, outlined the aims of the local government system
in the country. According to that document, one of the cardinal aims of the
local government system is to make appropriate services and development
activities, responses to local wishes and needs by delegating authority to
local representative bodies.
The citizens expect the council to excel in
developmental activities. They would like to please the community or
communities in the local government area through the provision of functional feeder roads and public
utilizations.
The council administration in the other hand
complains of inadequate finance to meet up with the numerous responsibilities
yearning for attention. According to the guidelines for local government
reforms or 1976, “it must be recognized that if meaningful local government is
to be expected in Nigeria, much larger financial resources are needed” they
also complain that staff salaries alone drain a high percentage of the monthly
allocation. Financial experts postulates that money is at the center of
developmental projects. Acquisition and proper accountability of funs are the
pivot upon revolves. Adedeji (1979) capped it all when he declared that the
success or failure and the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of local
government depend on the financial resources available to the individual local
government and the way these resources are utilized.
From the foregoing, it seems that an empirical
study into the revenue base of the local government system at this harsh
economic period is not only useful but very vital.
It is therefore against this background that this
project work is being undertaken with a view to discovering the problems of
Effective Utilization of Revenue Available to Local Governments with particular
reference to Aninri local government area of Enugu state.
1 .2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The relevance of the local government councils as
the government at the grassroot level is measured by the quality and quantity
services rendered to the rural dwellers.
For the council to render meaningful
services, in form of provision of basic amenities, construction and 
