Towards Effective Local Government System

Local Government administration is a system of governance that is aimed at addressing the local needs of members of a community or communities at the grassroots level. In other words, because the central or Federal Government in most cases are too far away from the local masses reach, it becomes imperative for the local populace to channel all their aspirations and needs to the leadership of their local constituency usually headed by a local government chairman and supported by ward councillors as is the case in the Nigerian context.

The reason for this is not far fetched, local government is the third tier of government in Nigeria and has the easiest reach to the local masses due to its significant position.

In this perspective, this lecture is aimed at offering an insight into the respective tools and methodology of enhancing local government administration, specifically in Rivers State and Nigeria at large in line with global best practices.

What is governance? Governance has been defined by various authors and various schools of thought, and to this extent, the term governance has been variously interpreted to suit legal systems, political systems, economic systems or ideologies.

According to Human Rights in Development (UNHCR 2002), governance is lithe process whereby public institutions conduct public affairs, manage public resources and guarantee the realization of human rights”,

However, in order not to lose focus and for the purpose of this lecture, one string that runs through the definitions is that governance has to do with the relationship between the government and the governed.

If societies, countries and various tiers of government must achieve good governance, then different tools and methods must be adopted in a concerted manner so as to deliver the dividends of good governance to the citizenry.

Therefore, good governance amounts to achieving the ends of governance “in a manner essentially free of abuse and corruption, and with due regard to the rule of law”.

While reminding ourselves that governance is all about the governed and how to balance their aspirations, it follows that any government agenda or policy that is unpopular should not be forced to the throat of the governed, or else, it may lead to a political disequilibrium and eventual sack of the leadership of such government in extreme cases as has been witnessed in other working democracies across the world.

In the light of this, if a government must remain legitimate and popular, then it must evolve different tools aimed at actualizing good governance. The tools include formulation of policies aimed at addressing key political, social, economic and ethno ­religious challenges, setting up of institutions with mandates to monitor and implement set policies; setting up bodies charged with maintaining law and order; establishing anti-corruption bodies; championing constitutional reforms and electoral reforms and, most importantly, embracing electronic government (e-Government) etc.

The benefits include but not limited to public participation, accountability and transparency, respect for the rule of law and human rights, and efficient and effective public sector management.

By public participation, I mean good governance presupposes the participation of the citizens in the art of governance and decision making, as it is the modern form of decentralization of powers, with the recipient being the citizens. Participation in local governance will not only involve access to decision making but also access to information.

Accountability and transparency is also a sine qua non to good governance.

It is important that the affairs of governance are conducted with as much openness and sincerity as possible. This will not only give the citizenry the desired trust in government but also check improprieties and allow for the needed development.

So also, good governance entails the recognition of the rule of law and its corresponding pillars of separation of powers and respect for human rights. There cannot be good governance without constitutionalism and by extension, the respect for fundamental freedom. Each arm of government should be independent with distinct powers. These are the crux of good governance.

Meanwhile, efficient and effective public sector management is another key factor in ensuring good governance.

An efficient civil service is the foundation of any successful government. The civil service is responsible for implementing and executing government’s policies. If the civil service is weak and corrupt, then the ends of governance will be defeated.

The local government should therefore, ensure that its manpower at every time is highly motivated and efficient. Regular training and re – training should be embarked upon, while anti – corruption measures are put in place to check corruption.

Being an excerpt of a paper delivered at a workshop organised by the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency, in Port Harcourt, recently.

Kaine Chinwah