Controversies and Intrigues Behind the Introduction of Development Areas by Some State Governments in Nigeria: Matters Arising

Badejo Atinuke Bolaji ,Adeniyi Adeshola ,Adeoye Julius Olaniyi

doi:10.7176/ppar/9-5-06

Abstract

It is known fact that various school of thought exists on whether the State government has the constitutional right to create development areas or not. Some are of the view that the creation of development areas is a way of bringing government closer to the people at the grassroots level while others considered such move as a way of siphoning public fund into private pockets Thus, the aim of this study is to examine the necessity or otherwise of introducing development areas within the existing constitutionally recognized local government councils at the State levels in Nigeria . In efforts to achieving the objective of this study, a qualitative technique of data collection and analysis of existing documents, reports, bulletin, records and official publications was adopted. At the end of the study, it was discovered that most States that created development areas are not faring better in terms of revenue generation, infrastructure development and provision of social amenities to citizens despites the supposedly benefits drivable from such decisions. In most cases, such initiative only succeeded in increasing the cost of governance through astronomical rise in the recurrent expenditures. In other words, statutory allocations meant for existing local councils are now being shared to development areas without any form of returns thereafter. Therefore, this study recommended for the scraping of development areas in order to channel available resources at the local councils to the implementation of viable projects that have direct bearing on improved standard of living for rural dwellers. DOI : 10.7176/PPAR/9-5-06 Publication date :May 31 st 2019

Highlights

One of the major justifications for the creation of development areas in modern polity is that it promotes political participation by local communities in governmental activities as well as serving as machinery for harnessing local efforts for developmental purposes
There is no doubt that development areas are in the best position to play a major role in the grassroots development in Nigeria
This study vividly shows that Section 7(1) of the Constitution states that the “system of local government by democratically elected local government council is guaranteed”, it empowers a state’s House of Assembly to make laws to ensure their existence, structure, finances and functions, “detracting from the desired constitutionally guaranteed autonomy.”

Summary

Introduction

One of the major justifications for the creation of development areas in modern polity is that it promotes political participation by local communities in governmental activities as well as serving as machinery for harnessing local efforts for developmental purposes. Ensure their existence under a law which provides for the establishment; structure, composition, finance and functions of such councils The implication of these provisions according to Asaju (2010) is that local government cannot exercise the functions assigned to it in section 1 schedule 4 of the Constitution until the State House of Assembly had passed www.iiste.org a law. Argument for and against the creation of development areas in Nigeria The 1979 Constitution delineated a three tiered federal structure in which each tier, the Federal and State Governments, enjoy a considerable measure of independence jurisdictionally, financially, and functionally even if several forces appear to tilt the balance of power in favour of the centre, and rarely in favour of State Governments and Local Government Councils, and even if constitutional provisions see LGCs as subordinates in every material particular to the states‟ Governments (Akinsanya, 2005). In recognition of the Lagos mega city challenges and in order to bring governance, development and participatory democracy nearer to the local people increased in June, 2002 with the creation of additional 37 local governments bringing the number of the local governments in the state to 57 (Agboola, 2009)

New Local Government

Findings

Conclusion