Page 28 - CITN 2017 Journal

Furthermore, the constitution states
“The person authorized by law to prescribe the area over which a local government
council may exercise authority shall define such as, clearly as practicable; and ensure, to
the extent to which it may be reasonably justifiable, that is, in defining such area, regard is
paid to the common interest of the community in t h e a re a , t r a d i t i o n a l
association of the community, as well as administrative convenience, and the
government of a state shall ensure that every person who is entitled to vote or be voted for
at an election to a local government council.''

Concerning the economic/fiscal structure of local governments, fiscal federalism practices
in Nigeria provides a direction. Thus, each tier of government has its specific roles and
responsibilities stipulated in the constitution. For instance, the statutory allocation to local
authorities is guaranteed by Section 7 of the constitution thus:
“The National Assembly shall make provisions for statutory allocation of public revenue
to local government councils in the federation; and the House of Assembly of a state shall
make provisions for statutory allocation of public revenue to local government councils
within the state.”

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The functions of local government are contained in the 4 schedule Section 7 as follows:
· The consideration and making of recommendations to a state commission on
economic planning or any similar body on the economic development of the state
particularly in so far as the areas of authority of the council and of the state are
affected; and the proposal made by the said commission or body.
· Collection of rates, radio and television licences.
· Establishment and maintenance of cemeteries, burial grounds and homes for the
destitute or infirm.
· Licensing of bicycles, trucks (other than mechanically propelled trucks), canoes,
wheelbarrows and carts.
· Establishment, maintenance and regulation of slaughter houses, slaughter slabs,
markets, motor parks and public conveniences.
· Construction and maintenance of roads, streets, street lightening, drains and
other public highways, parks, gardens, open spaces or such public facilities as
may be prescribed from time to time by the House of Assembly of a state.
· Naming of roads and streets and numbering of houses.
· Provisions and maintenance of public conveniences, sewage and refuse disposal.
· Registration of all births, death and marriages.
· Assessment of privately owned houses or tenements for the purpose of levying
such rates as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly of a state.
· Control and regulation of out-door advertising and hoarding; movement and
keeping of pets of all description; shops and kiosks; restaurants, bakeries and
other places for sale of food to the public; laundries; licensing, regulation and
control of the sale of liquor.
The functions of a local government council shall include participation of such council in
the government of a state in respect of the following matters:
· The provisions and maintenance of primary, adult and vocational education.
· The development of agriculture and natural resources other than the exploitation
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