AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN LAGOS STATE

ABSTRACT

Local government since its creation in Nigeria has been and is still involved in the process of community development which ultimately translates to national development. Though there is glaring evidence of serious inadequacies in basic social services and amenities to the rural community, emphasis in this regard has been placed on mobilization for sustainable community development. This paper examines the impact of local government in community development in Lagos state. The study adopted qualitative and textual method in gathering and analyzing secondary data for this study, participatory theory is adopted as its frame work. The paper argues that the role of this tier of government in fostering community development is not only insignificant but also marginal compared to what is obtained in the developed nations, this is so owing to certain myriad of problems that confront this tier of government; poverty, and inadequate finances among others. The paper concludes that development can be achieved, sustained, and fostered if these problems enumerated are solved and it will make local government more viable in this task. Thus, the paper proffers recommendations among which are: grassroots institutions should be re-integrated into the scheme of community development. There should be provision of sufficient funds for community development efforts by the Federal and State governments to the local government to carryout programmes, projects and policies that will foster community development in their domain.