Local Governments’ Financial Autonomy and Operational Challenges of Joint Account Allocation Committee in Delta State

Abstract

Local governments in Nigeria have today acquired much importance and concern. This is largely due to the 1976 nationwide reforms which among other factors brought uniformity and introduced the single tier multipurpose local government structure throughout the country. This brought about constitutionally clear cut functions and guaranteed financial disbursement to these councils from the federation account. Ordinarily, this should have set the local governments on the pathway of performance and excellence; but, this same constitution has tied the grassroots governments to the control of the state administration. This paper empirically examined the challenges faced by local governments in Nigeria; and proffered salient recommendations to fast track the trajectory of bringing development closer to the grassroots populace