PERSPECTIVES
3.3 THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
3.3.3 Local Government Challenges Associated with LED
Local governments around the world, particularly in developing countries, are becoming increasingly crucial in providing essential fundamental services to the local people (UN- HABITAT, 2015). In most nations, local governments are responsible for providing basic services such as water, power, waste removal, sanitation, and land use regulation, as well as other social services like education and health care (Chigwata & Visser, 2018; Sikander, 2015).
Nowadays, local governments are at the heart of service delivery and development in most developing countries, particularly in the provision of services such as water, healthcare, sanitation, and electricity. Despite their unquestionable importance, local governments in most developing countries are still unable to perform and discharge their roles and functions as anticipated by citizens (Majekodunmi, 2017). This predicament is experienced because local governments in these countries are faced with huge challenges. Local governments continue to face enormous challenges, particularly those in the developing countries.
Because of various problems, local governments are unable to fulfil their developmental mandate. Some of the challenges confronting local governments in planning for development are associated with institutional deficiencies, lack of capacity or well-trained personnel, lack of finance, corruption, service delivery backlogs, absence of autonomy, political interference and poor or lack of civil society participation (Majekodunmi, 2017; Beyers, 2016; Akhakpe, Fatile &
Igbokwe-Ibeto, 2012; Ugoh & Ukpere, 2009). There are numerous challenges faced by local government that hinder effective service provision, particularly in developing countries. Poor or lack of delivery of services or development in most cases is associated with the critical problems that local governments face. Abdullahi and Chikaji (2017) stated lack of autonomy, financial issues, poor leadership, unskilled workers, corruption, administrative inefficiencies, lack of
101
provision of basic services, poor staffing, over interference, inter-governmental conflicts, lack of equipment and revenue generation problems as daunting challenges in most local governments in Nigeria. Seddiky (2019), Boris (2015) and Adeyemo (2005) identified lack of a skilled workforce, lack of finance, lack of institutional capacity, corruption, lack of coordination, political instability, lack of integration, inadequate revenue, lack of technical knowledge and attitudes of staff as key challenges and obstacles facing local government planning for service delivery in developing countries such as Bangladesh. Failure of towns to provide basic services creates not only great suffering for inhabitants, but it can also have a negative impact on social and economic growth and development of communities (IDASA, 2010).
3.3.3.1 Lack of Capacity and Skills
Local governments are failing to fulfil their developmental mandate if they are unable to perform their responsibilities or discharge their functions as envisaged (Majekodunmi, 2017). Low capacity of local governments in most developing countries to provide basic services to local people is one of the most significant issues they face. Ugoh and Ukpere (2009) argues that a majority of local governments have the workforce which does not possess the requisite skills such as leadership and managerial acumen to deliver services to the people. Kanyane (2014) believes that the effectiveness of good local governance should be measured by the ability of local governments to provide an integrated developmental approach to social and economic development issues, as well as essential services that meet the needs and wants of local communities. In such regard, incapacity of local governments, municipalities in particular, is widespread in such a way that impede adequate delivery of basic services in many developing countries (Kanyane, 2014). Municipal capacity is defined as a municipality’s ability to carry out the necessary functions of governance and service provision in a responsible and sustainable manner while adhering to democratic governance norms (Boshoff, 2011).
Furthermore, Koma (2010) views capacity as the availability of and access to tangible resources such as human, financial, material or technological and intangible resources coupled with commitment, leadership and knowledge to implement policies and delivery of public services.
102
Local governments in developing countries seem to lack the capacity to provide essential services to the local communities. Tshishonga (2019) insists that poor delivery of services is the consequence of limited capacity and poorly trained personnel in most local governments, particularly in developing countries. Indeed, underdevelopment in most developing countries is associated with lack of sufficient capacity at the local government level. A fundamental constraint and one of the most critical issues facing local government is the lack of sufficient skills and experience (Boshoff, 2011). Hence, local governments cannot provide sustainable services if they have limited capacity and skills required to provide such services effectively.
3.3.3.2 Financial Constraints
Lack of finance remains one of the daunting challenges for most local governments in the developing world. Many local governments in developing countries face financial or funding crisis with which to meet the basic needs of citizens. In Nigeria, for example, despite constitutional protections and federal government funding guarantees, local government money remains a phantom (Abdullahi & Chikaji, 2017). Seddiky (2019) states that financial ability is the prime condition to carry out the responsibility of the local government regarding essential service delivery at the grassroots. According to Abdullahi and Chikaji (2017), local governments in Nigeria are known to suffer from inadequate and poor budgetary allocation especially because of the deliberate cut-offs of budgetary allocations by some States Governors either for political reasons or absolute corruption. Consequently, this makes it difficult if not impossible for local governments to perform and discharge their constitutional duties and responsibilities thereby impeding better delivery of services to local communities.
According to Boris (2015), for local government to provide essential services effectively at the grassroots level, financial resources must be available to undertake the assigned responsibilities.
Local governments, according to Chigwata and Visser (2018), should have access to funds proportionate with their duties. Shortage of funds to the local government creates an obstacle in providing better social services of the local council (Seddiky, 2019). Boris (2015) highlighted that allocation of inadequate financial resources hindered effective performance of local governments in Nigeria. Indeed, limited financial resources adversely constraints any local
103
government around the world to discharge its abilities to provide effective and efficient services to local communities. Accordingly, most local governments in developing countries are in financial distress due to, inter alia, persistent service delivery backlogs and higher demands for services.
3.3.3.3 Corruption and Fraud
Corruption continues to be a significant impediment to political and economic growth in many parts of the world, particularly in Africa (Kanyane, 2014; Mbaku, 2008). In developing countries, corruption is seen as one of the most serious issues in the planning of local government service delivery. Corruption, financial irregularities, and maladministration characterize most municipal governments in poor countries. Majekodunmi (2017) asserts that ineffective service delivery is associated with corruption in the local government system and local governments have become vineyards of corruption in countries such as Nigeria. Kanyane (2014) is of the opinion that corruption erodes the opportunities for wealth creation and severely limits and hampers the government’s ability to deal effectively with societal problems faced by ordinary citizens. Additionally, Reddy (2016) maintains that corruption and fraud lead to, among others, negative audit opinions and delays in the provision of services due to financial irregularities. Corrupt activities within the local government system only enriches elite government officials, politicians and their business associates or acquaintances.
Corruption in municipal governments includes direct falsification of financial transactions, inflated contracts, the presence of ghost workers, and collusion with the government machinery that are supposed to perform supervisory responsibilities (Abdullahi & Chikaji, 2017). Seddiky (2019) argues that there is more space for corruption at the local level due to the profane nexus between the politicians and bureaucrats and more facultative power of the local officials to create unscrupulous liaison with local lobby groups in their long stay at the local level than national level bureaucrats. Instead of being channelled towards service delivery and overall improvement of local communities, scarce resources are diverted for personal use by corrupt officials. Masuku and Jili (2019) point out that the problem of corruption is still at the forefront of progress, and it
104
will take more work to eradicate it in order to better people's lives. Corruption has become one of the most significant roadblocks to successful service delivery planning at the local government level. Thus, local governments have since become synonymous to or fertile ground for corruption, which is now deeply entrenched into the local governance system in most developing countries.
3.3.3.4 Political Interference
Another challenge of local government service delivery is the undue interference of the federal government in the affairs of local government, which impedes effective service delivery (Seddiky, 2019; Boris, 2015). Undue political interference by the State or higher levels of government has been identified as one the critical factors that result in the inefficiency and ineffectiveness of local governments in Nigeria (Majekodunmi, 2017; Salaam, 2016; Boris, 2015). Political interference in the affairs of local governments has contributed to poor service delivery to the local people. Local government officials use their political influence to subvert procedures. Such influences or interference leads to instability and ineffective local government systems. According to Salaam (2016) and Boris (2015), there is a high degree of external influence and interference in local government affairs by the higher levels of government, particularly the state governments. Undue political interference not only incapacitates local government from functioning effectively and efficiently, but also alienates the local people from better service delivery as expected (Masuku & Jili, 2019; Boris, 2015; Agba, Akwara, & Idu, 2013; Zarenda, 2013).
Makanyeza, Kwandayi and Ikobe (2013) see interference as one of the causes of poor service delivery in local councils. Service delivery backlogs or lack thereof at local government includes water and sanitation, electricity, housing and waste removal. Masuku and Jili (2019) argue that such poor service delivery at the local government level is associated with politicisation of the administrative functions in municipalities, consequently leading to transgression of governance.
Thus, the administrative authority of local government must be free of political interference to allow equitable distribution of basic public services to all citizens and not only to the elite with
105
partisan interests. Masuku and Jili (2019); Maserumule (2007) noted that political interference in local government is caused by the lack of a good relationship between the elected and appointed officials and their endeavours to provide services to the citizens. The political interference adversely affects effective and efficient administration and governance of local governments in most developing world. However, Reddy (2016) believes that politicians can positively play a role in local government processes if they are committed to organisational solutions and promote the institutionalisation of constitutional values and principles. These acts of political interference or influence may also lead to the absence or lack of autonomy, consequently affecting the independence and stability of local government.
3.3.3.5 Lack of Autonomy
Subsequent to political interference is subverted autonomy and independence of local government. The term autonomy simply means freedom, independence, and absence of external or remote control (Abdullahi & Chikaji, 2017). Chigwata and Visser (2018) defined local autonomy as the extent to which local governments have discretion in carrying out their duties and obligations. However, Chigwata and Visser (2018) further emphasised that local autonomy does not connote freedom to make decisions as the leaders want, but rather refers to a certain measure of discretion to make laws, adopt policies and take decisions within a framework of national or regional laws, subject to national or regional supervision. Ugoh and Ukpere (2009);
Salaam (2016) identified the absence or lack of autonomy as another constraint for local government service delivery planning and assumes that ineffectiveness and inefficiency of local governments on service delivery are due to their lack of autonomy. Local governments in Nigeria, for example, lack the desired and essential financial autonomy to effectively manage their financial resources (Majekodunmi, 2017; Salaam, 2016; Boris, 2015). True autonomy can ensure that local governments are responsive to residents’ needs and improved service delivery.
Most of local governments around the world are independent, thus should be accorded the autonomy so that they can discharge their functions and perform their roles and responsibilities with diligence. However, for instances, local governments in Nigeria are still seen as an
106
appendage of the central government and have not been able to extricate themselves from the apron string of state government (Abdullahi & Chikaji, 2017). Majekodunmi (2017) highlighted that local governments in Nigeria, for instance, are still not able to perform their roles and discharge their functions as expected without assistance from central government due to their limited autonomy. Without a doubt, overstepping in local government affairs by the central government or upper-level institutions threatens the autonomy of local government. In countries such as Zimbabwe and Nigeria, autonomy is granted to local governments by the constitution to facilitate development and strengthen local democracy (Chigwata & Visser, 2018). However, the operations of local governments are greatly impacted by the actions of national governments, coupled with unfavourable relationships, insufficient funding, and a significant concentration of people who lack skills and education, which lead these institutions to become increasingly ineffective and inefficient (Abdullahi & Chikaji, 2017). Local governments in developing countries need adequate and real autonomy in order to discharge their constitutional functions effectively and efficiently without fear, favour or prejudice.