AN OVER VIEW OF THE PROBLEMS OF FINANCING LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN NIGERIA; A STUDY OF OWERRI MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

Abstract

This study  examine  the  problems of financing local government in  Nigeria with particular reference to Owerri Municipal, it was discovered that financing remains the main spring board of every administrative activities, it was based on this  understanding that the local government was uplifted in the 1976 local government reform as the third tier of government. it was made clear that the local government  especially  Owerri municipal council lacks the finance to effectively meet its numerous demands.The 1976 local government reform laid a solid foundation for the local government by providing for autonomy as well as statutory allocation from the federation account. Today local governments in the state are deprived of operational autonomy and have consequently become strategies to the state government. The pre-exquisite grass root development cannot be actualized where a democratically elected council on whose shoulders rest the problems and needs of "their various constituencies.