The Nigeria society is a rapid transition in addition to the inevitable and usually gradual transformation processes that affect all social systems, the institutions economics, political, legal etc. of the Nigeria society are being debatably and hurriedly reformed to avoid the pit falls of the past. Momentous decisions are being made now programmes established and new strategies adopted all in an effort to achieve a new social order.
The above quotation from a paper on crisis management presented by Mark Amikpo has been chosen as a good starting point for this study.
One of the on going strategies to do this is the reform being introduced in to the local government ystem by the office of the chief of general staff to propare the local government as an effective third tier of government. Usually such rapid reforms tend to be prove to one form of organizational crisis or another crisis here refers to a unusal situtation the outcome of which is uncertain or capable of givernmeting system it grises out of the intherent disposition of the system to disturb the political and administration processes by its decision or operations. It after arises from situational uncertainties and inadequacies. These could be power tussle inadequate funds or time to execute all envisaged project, psychological disorientation the populace and its rejection of the proposal reforms. There full implication of established programmes or a deliberate changing to policies established primarily to protect institution class relations.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Local Government in Nigeria has been characterized by instability and disruptions emanating from one form of crisis or the other. These crisis that were often promoted by the activities of central government usually led to complete dissolution and take over the functions of the local government by the state government.
In other words, local government in this country has always subjected to the whims and caprices of the state government. They were never firmly established to make any contribution to the construction of a stable and deeply rooted polity as the “Panchayata ray, institution seem to have done in India”.
The Various Local Government reforms and particularly the (1976) reform were thus Interalia aimed at stabilizing sand rationalizing government at the local level. Unfortunately, however the chosen implementation strategies seem to have resulted in unanticipated policy out comes.
As this matter of fact, by the end of 1983 it was clear to all that the aims of the 1976 reforms to create autonomous and viable Local Government system in the country had not and couldn’t be realized. It is our belief that this was mainly due to the inability of the local government system to effectively handle the forms of crises that affected it during this period.
It is against this background that the topic “Crisis management in Local Government system in Nigeria was chosen.
Every crisis has four main stages and allowing each crisis to pass through the four stage has the been the bane of effective Local Government administration in Nigeria. The four stages of crisis includes:
Crisis management aims to avoid the acute and chronic stage of crisis. A crisis is said to be effectively managed if it moves from the prodromal to resolution stages. We are aware that this has not been the case in the Local Government.
If we look at the second republic, 1979 to 1983, and the last civilian local government administration 1988 to 1989, there were various crises which include;
The entire above crisis were unfortunately allowed to go through the four stages and had their unpleasant effects on Local Government administration in the country.
Enugu North Local Government, our case study, is a very good example; of the effect of allowing a crisis go through the four stages.
The Local Government particularly during the1988 to 1989 Local Government administration was affiliated by crisis. This case went through the full cycle and the effect was intervention by both the Federal and the State government.
There were also case of polarization of the council in many Local Government, which in some cases ended with chairman removing their supervisory councilors. The peculiar circumstance of the creation and existence of Local Government coupled with the unpredictability of its political and administration environment in Nigeria largely accounts for the appeal of this topic.
“Crisis management in Nigeria Local Government administration to the author. Unfortunately, it is clear from the prevailing literature that only very little work if any has been done by scholars and practitioners.
In view of the lapses identified, an inquiry into crisis management in Nigeria Local Government has become most imperative. It is hoped that this inquiry will stimulate new dimension and direction of crisis management.
Above all, it overall objectives could be the search for an effective and efficient Local Government ministration in Nigeria while the specific will focus on evolving new strategies for building administrative base for Local Government in the country.
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTION
The basis research question are:
The study will attempt to provide appropriate answers to these question which are regarded as key variables in the Local Government administration in Nigeria, such answers, it is hoped would assist in providing insight into the kind of measures to be adopted in Local Government administration in Nigeria.
The objectives of this study include:
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Local Government are established for political administrative and service provision purpose, which are further discussed below.
POLITICAL: The establishment of Local Government is often linked with the desire to promote democracy. The first consideration in this regard must be into participation which if offers. Democracy in a simple sense is a system of self-rule institute to provide: the authority or council of the Local Government, which is popularly selected.
Participation at this level is not merely an end in itself. It also serves to provide political training for local leaders and inculcate in the local populace democratic tenants to protect liberty; which is endangered through excessive centralization of power.
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