The local government, were created so as to enable the central government (federal government) exercise effective.
Hence, among the effective role of the local government (Etsako West local government) is the provision of two way communication channel between the ltolas communities and the central government through the mobilization of human and material resources at the grass root.
The implication of the above is that the concept of rural as well as national development on effective local government leaderships and administration for its success (Ngwu 1980)
It also, implies that effective local government is required for the planning, preparation and submission of the proposal for funding and initiation of any meaningful development project in Nigeria, this goes a long way to validate the assertion made by Agu (2001) that effective and efficient leadership and administration of the local government is required for the sustenance and utilization of development project in any nation. Hence the studies of Ezike (1998:45) and Hassan (1999:66) revealed that effective implement of development project are contingent on strong leadership of the local government area, particular at the planning stage.
In rural as well as national development, the understanding of the local power structure is capable of enhancing or impeding the implementation of development project. In addition local government (Etsako West) leadership is always required for the genuine involvement of the people at the grass root in any development project or activities of the government.
However, the local government (Etsako West) had actually in fulfilling their roles due to both financial as well as political problem. According to Williams (1998-50) most local government in Nigeria suffer from inadequate financial resources, this was recently known as zero accusation. Etsako West local government was vastly affected by this zero allocation epidemic and this affected a great number of developmental activities including the payment of its staff. Consequently, the available fund was not appropriately used due to the frustrating effort of the local government authority which was as a result of mismanagement.
The local government in some cases suffers from over-staffing to the extent that most of its recourses are spent on the payment of staff salaries.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Local government is the third tier government established to bring the presence of government nearer to the people at the grass root. This is with the aim of providing some basic functions or needs of life such as, food, shelter, job opportunities, primary healthcare service, primary education, good roads, market and so on to the community. But contrary to expectations, the local governments have noticeable failed in their constitutional responsibilities. They are generally classified as been unproductive (President Oluegun Obasanjo in his address to the nation on the reasons behind the current local government reform: 2003). This current reform going on now is one of the major reforms previously done on the local government system in Nigeria, with their sole objective of reforming the local government system to be effective, efficient, responsive and objective.
The local government is faced with a number of problems. This study is equivocally poised to investigate this problem with a view to fashion out solutions to them. Some of the problems with a view to fashion out solutions to them. Some of the problems looks at in this study includes:
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The major aim of this research is to examine the effects of local government administration on rural development using Etsako West local government as a case study.
Hence, the objectives of the study are as follows:
This study will be guided by the local research questions.
The findings of this research will help different categories of people to understand. This would be made possible because these problems have been earlier stated in the study to these problems.
The significance of the study those problem affecting Etsako West local government and their solutions for the relevant authorities to implement for effective and efficient local government administration.
This research is a survey research conducted in Etsako West local government Area. The study borders on the role of local government on rural development as well as the problems hindering effective local government in Nigeria.
This research work is limited by many constraints. First is that the time given for the study was too short for proper and elaborate research. Also the cost of materials as well as transportation equally limited the scope of the research, consequently this limitation could not allow for wider consultations of some relevant literary materials for information in the study.
Finally, local of co-operation by some of the respondents was one of the conations to the study because more relevant information to the study were by some respondents.