FISCAL AUTONOMY AND SERVICE DELIVERY IN NIGERIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

ABSTRACT: The focus of this study is to examine fiscal autonomy and service delivery in Nigeria local government using Ikot-Ekpene Local Government in Akwaibom State as case study. Fourty-seven respondent who are civil servant was purposively selected form the L.G council. Using questionnaire thirty-nine (39) responses were retrived and validated. Data was analyzed using frequency and tables. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool. Findings from the study reveal that lack of fiscal autonomy has affected the efficient service delivery of Local Government in Akwaibom State. It also reveals that there is a difference in the service deliver offered by local government in 1988-1993 compared to the period of 2007-2015. Hence the problem of Local government in efficient service delivery is not unknown but revolves around lack of autonomy and political interference from state who poses to be the master.The study therefore recommends that The concept of true federalism should be revisited and practicalized not just in papers. Credible Elections should be conducted at the local government level whereby the governing body should be accountable to the rural citizens as the method of using ‘Transition Committee Chairmen, Caretaker Committee and Sole Administrators’ to run the affairs of local governments do not allow for good intergovernmental relations