Local Governance PSU08103

Central Local Relations

Presented by, Mr. Sanchawa, DH

Introduction

• As we saw in the previous lectures that the local government is an administrative machinery which operates at the local authority. There fore, it is intended to provide the ordinary people with an opportunity to participate in the administration of local affairs and to serve the citizens (Warioba, 2004)

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Introduction (ctd)

• That, in order for the local government to provide an opportunity to the local community ; the central government lays down the general policy for the local government through the Ministry responsible for local government in the interest of the country as a whole.

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Introduction (ctd)

• Thus, the central government entrusts powers to the local government and it has the duty to ensure that such powers are properly exercised to attain positive results.

• Tthe local authorities on the other hand have to make sure that they provide adequate services to the satisfaction of the citizens.

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Introduction (ctd)

• This kind of relationship consists of Checks; control and supervision of the Central government over the local government

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The concept of central local relation

• Central local-relations refer to a complex political arrangement relating to the vertical distribution of political authority, fiscal, legal, and human resources and functional competence between central and local governments (Davey, 1996).

• It is a relationship between the central government and the local governments in various aspects such as fiscal, legislative(legal), political, human resources and administrative aspect

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Control of the central government over the local government

• Devas ( 2006) shows that central government controls are important because they affect autonomy of local governments to exercise their mandates;

• The specific forms of control are often specified in law. Davey (1996) contended that in practice the law may not matter because central governments may choose to act ultravires.

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Forms of control

• Literature indicates further that controls may be of different forms such as political, fiscal, legal or administrative in nature

• For the purpose of this lecture we are going to see the types or forms of control in the following aspects

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Forms of control

Political controls

• This form or type of control may involve limiting decision making powers and directives to ensure local government serves central government’s priorities

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Forms of control

Administrative controls• This category involve many aspects such as i. central appointment of senior staff in LGii. powers to veto local appointmentsiii. specification of functions of LG,iv. requirement for LG to publish informationv. powers of central government to dismiss

proper officers in the LGAs such as the MD, CD, DED and etc

vi. and powers to dissolve Local Government.

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Forms of control (ctd)

The legislative control

• local governments have the powers to make by-laws, rules and orders in order to effect their duties

• Those by-laws, rules and orders can not become effective before the are approved by the Minister responsible for the local governments.

• The requirement for central approval of by-laws and development plans and provision of codes of conduct are examples of legislative control.

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Forms of control

Fiscal controls• local governments have been entrusted with

powers to raise and spend funds incurred from various sources.

• On the other hand , the central government have the power to oversee or to check over the income and expenditures incurred by the local government

• The central government does this by sending auditors from the CAG chamber to rectify, advise regulates and control local authorities finances

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Forms of control

Judicial control

• This comes when by-laws, order and rules are violated or the services are neglected there by making the innocent public suffer unduly.

• Thus an individual may lodge complaints against the actions of a local authority.

• In such circumstances the court may give an injunction order to stop such unlawful act (Warioba, 1999: 180)

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Powers and functional relationship between CG and LG

• According to Sect. 61 of the urban authority Act No. 8 of 1982 in relation to the powers and functions of urban authority, the central government have to:-

(a) facilitate the exercise of powers and functions of the LG in a manner that gives due recognition to the autonomy of local government authorities;

(b) formulate a national policy and regulatory framework for the local government system

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Powers and functional relationship between CG and LG

(c) co-ordinate and monitor the performance of LG authorities for compliance with national policies, guidelines and standards; and

(d) recognize and enhance the role of local government authorities in the provision of services and supervision of development activities within their respective areas.

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Powers and functional relationship between CG and LG

(e) develop policies and provide for regulatory framework for the proper execution and implementation of those policies;

(f) provide the necessary technical support to the LG authorities for the development of respective sectors in their areas;

(g) work for the implementation of decisions and resolutions of the LG authorities which affect the development of their respective sectors;

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THE END

Thank you for your attention!

Have a productive study (discussion)

dsanchawa@gmail.com

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