Abstract

Local governments in Nigeria are faced with many difficulties in generating adequate finance to perform their constitutional responsibilities; such problems are a cog in the wheel to the smooth running of local government administration. These challenges include dishonesty on the part of officer collecting the revenues, such as cases of printing receipts by the officers. This development has hampered the operations of Njikoka local government area of Anambra state. This study therefore examines problems and prospects of revenue generation in Nigerian local government system, with focus on Njikoka local government area of Anambra state. The study is a qualitative descriptive analysis, while data collection was effected through the secondary sources. Systems theory served as theoretical framework of analysis. The findings reveal that despite external and internal sources of revenue to Njikoka local government, corruption and poor governance, public cynicism, lack of qualified revenue collectors and lack of financial autonomy undermine revenue collection. It also demonstrates enlightenment and motivation of revenue collectors are measures to enhance the prospects of revenue collection in the local government. It therefore recommends honest and credible leadership as a panacea for revenue shortfalls in Njikoka local government.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Title page … … ….. …. …. …. …. …. … … … i Approval page … … ….. …. …. …. …. …. … … … ii Dedication … … ….. …. …. …. …. …. … … … iii Acknowledgement … … ….. …. …. …. …. …. … … iv Abstract … … ….. …. …. …. …. …. … … … v Table of Contents … … ….. …. …. …. …. …. … … vi List of Tables … … ….. …. …. …. …. …. … … … vii CHAPTER ONE: Introduction 1.1 Background of the Study… … ….. …. …. …. …. …. … 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem… … ….. …. …. …. …. …. … 4 1.3 Objectives of the Study … … ….. …. …. …. …. …. … 6 1.4 Significance of the Study… … ….. …. …. …. …. …. … 6 CHAPTER TWO: Literature Review 2.1 The Concept of Local Government… … ….. …. …. …. …. 8 2.2 Role of Local Governments … ….. …. …. …. …. …. 20 2.3 Problems of Local Government Revenue Generation … … ….. …. 35 2.4 Gaps in Literature ….. …. …. …. …. …. … … 43 CHAPTER THREE: Methodology 3.1 Theoretical Framework … … ….. …. …. …. …. …. 44 3.2 Hypotheses … … ….. …. …. …. …. …. … … 46 3.3 Methods of Data Collection… … ….. …. …. …. …. …. 46 3.4 Methods of Data Analysis … … ….. …. …. …. …. …. 47 CHAPTER FOUR: Background and Sources of Revenue in Njikoka Local Government 4.1 Historical Development of Njikoka Local Government … … ….. 48 4.2 Organizational Structure of Njikoka Local Government Administration … 51 4.3 Functions of Njikoka Local Government …. …. ….. ….. …. 59 4.4 Sources of Revenue to Njikoka Local Government … … 61 CHAPTER FIVE: Problems and Prospects of Revenue Generation in Njikoka Local Government 5.1 Problems of Revenue Generation in Njikoka … … ….. …. 70 5.1.1 Corruption and Poor Governance … … ….. …. …. …. 71 5.1.2 Lack of Well Trained Personnel … … ….. …. …. …. … 74 5.1.3 Lack of Financial Autonomy … … ….. …. …. …. 76 5.1.4 Poor Transportation and Communication … … ….. …. …. 78 5.1.5 Lack of transparency and public cynicism … … ….. …. …. 79 5.2 Prospects of Revenue Generation in Njikoka LG … … ….. …. 80 5.2.1 Good Governances… … ….. …. …. …. …. …. … 80 5.2.2 Recruitment of Trained Revenue Collection Personnel … … ….. 83 5.2.3 Adequate Enlightenment of the General Public … … ….. …. 84 5.2.4 Motivation of Revenue Collectors … … ….. …. …. … 85 5.2.5 Punishment of Dishonest Revenue Collection Personnel … … … 85 CHAPTER SIX: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations 6.1 Summary … ….. …. …. …. …. …. … … 86 6.2 Conclusion … ….. …. …. …. …. …. … … 89 6.3 Recommendation … … ….. …. …. …. …. …. … 90 Bibliography