LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN EDO STATE; CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS; A CASE STUDY OF OVIA NORTH EASTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

ABSTRACT

This work assesses the role of local government administration and community development in Edo State; challenges and prospects with specific focus on Ovia North East local government area. Questionnaire and interview are employed in data collection. The study identifies inadequate personnel and finance as the main problems of Local Government administration in Nigeria. The study recommended that: More qualified personnel should be employed into the Local Government Service while those in the service should be encouraged to acquire higher qualification, Favoritism should be discarded in terms of employment, promotion orassigning of duty posts, Rural development policy should not be via ad hoc bodies but like the primary health care programme, Local Government investment in profitable ventures for increased revenue should be encouraged; and More statutory grant from the Federation account should be allocated to the Local Governments for more socio economic development projects.”