Local government is the government established at the local level to carry out specific functions. It is popularly referred to as the government at the grassroots level.

Local government has also been defined by Wikipedia as a form of public administration which, in a majority of contexts, exists as the lowest tier of administration within a given state. A better definition has been given by Britannica. It defined local government as the government with authority to determine and execute measures within a restricted area inside and smaller than a whole state.

Features of Local government in Nigeria

Below are the features of local government:

1. A predefined territory:

This is be basic feature of local government. Since it is the government at the grassroot, it must have a predefined territory where it is in control. Local government does not have power over all the state. It can only administer the affairs of a particular territory. This is why the basic feature of a local government is a predefined territory.

2. Power to collect taxes:

Accordingly, local government should have the power to collect taxes from the people it administers because that is one of the its core responsibility and source of income. Revenue generated from the collection of taxes by the local government is used for the development of the territory of the government.

It should be noted however, that apart from collecting taxes, local government has other means of generating income. Eg; Issuing of Driver's license, marriage certificate and Birth certificate.

3. Autonomy:

It is argued that for local government to be effective, it must be given autonomy and must not be interfered by the central government. This is because, the local government will seize to be effective if the central government grossly interferes in its activities.

For instance, if the central government is allowed to appoint personnels in the local government, then there won’t be local participation in politics. So you see, autonomy is indeed very pertinent for effectiveness in the activities of local government.

4. Government at the lowest level:

Another characteristic of local government is the fact that it is the government at the grassroot. In other words, it is the government that is most closest to the people. It incorporates the local people in all its activities and also serve as an intermediary between the people and the government.

5. It has power to make policies and prepare budgets

Accordingly, a local government should have the power to make by-laws, policies and prepare budgets for its territory. It must be allowed to create measures that will control its staff too. All these points to the fact that a local government must be autonomous and free to make decision in things that concerns it. Like I have already stated, the effectiveness of the local government depends solely on its ability to make decisions without the interference of the central government.

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