Intergovernmental fiscal relations and service deliver in Ebonyi state local government system in Nigeria, 2005 - 2018

Abstract

The study examines the effects of intergovernmental fiscal relations on service delivery, focusing on the Ebonyi state local government system 2005-2018. The issues investigated in this study are mainly on state-local government’s relationship as it affects the finances of the Ebonyi state local government system. To this end, two specific objectives were formulated for the study, which are, to investigate how revenue sharing has affected service delivery at the grassroots level in Ebonyi state; and to determine the effect of state’s utilization of financial resources of local government on service delivery in Ebonyi State local government system. In line with the objectives of the study, two research questions and hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The doctrine of Separation of power was adopted as the theoretical framework. The methodology adopted was the descriptive survey while Taro Yamane formula was used to determine the sample size. Findings from the study reveal, among others, that Revenue sharing has an effect on service delivery at the grassroots level and that state’s utilization of financial resources of LG have effects on service delivery in Ebonyi state local government system.  Conclusion made from the findings was that the local government system of Ebonyi state and indeed, Nigeria, will continue to underperform until higher levels of government – state and federal governments – reduce drastically or eliminate totally their overbearing influences and interferences that is, in the view of this study, limiting the latent abilities and potentials of the Nigerian local government system to effectively deliver essential services to the people at the grassroots level. From the conclusion, it was recommended an upward review of the 20 percent allocation of revenue to the local government from the federation account and 10 percent internally generated revenue from the state government. It is hoped that with additional revenue allocated to the local government, they will be empowered to do more for the local people within their domain.