ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIA

ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to examine the role of local government in Economic development with a view to finding out its impact on grassroots/Economic development. The study was conducted in Aba North Local government and its constituent communities. The study has three main objectives which were specifically to; to determine the nature of local government administration, to determine the nature of development in local government administration and to determine the role of local government in economic development. The study was anchored on the “system theory” of David Easton. The theory argues that in every system, which includes political system, there are subsystems making up the entire system. These subsystems are assigned functions and provided with enabling empowerment, including resources, appropriate authority, etc. to enable them discharge their responsibilities optimally. The method adopted in this study is a survey and descriptive analysis, which provided general impressions, summary of observations and findings made from the data collected. The methodology provided tools for the analysis of the role of local government on grassroots economic development with Aba North Local government area as case study,  This research work strongly advocates autonomy for local governments in such a way and manner that enhances its performance of constitutional and ancillary roles. Local governments should strive to raise and maintain revenue that would enable her deliver projects and services that guarantee quality living to the grassroots.  This has the potency of reducing the incidence of rural-urban drift. As a corollary, local governments should be more people-centred in approach, such that necessary collaboration/partnership with communities in its domain can facilitate the process economic development.