Local Government Autonomy and Grass-Root Development: A Study of Ikeduru LGA, Imo State, Nigeria

This study examined local government autonomy and grass-roots development: a study of Ikeduru LGA, Imo State, Nigeria. The researcher used decentralization theory as the framework of analysis. Descriptive survey was applied and data were collected through primary source (questionnaire). The population of the study covered the entire 208, 100 people in Ikeduru LGA of Imo State. From the number above, a sample size of 399 was selected. Though only 379 copies of questionnaire was returned and used. Data analysis was done using percentage, mean and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) at 0.05 level of significance with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21.0). The study found out that there is significant impact of financial autonomy on rural road maintenance in Ikeduru LGA, Imo State, administrative autonomy influences primary health care development in Ikeduru LGA, Imo State and there is significant effect of political autonomy on rural security in Ikeduru LGA, Imo State. Based on the forgoing, this study concluded that the achievement of rural development as it concerns road maintenance, security, and health care services depends on the extent the local governments enjoy autonomy in finance, administration, and political aspects. It was recommended that the local governments should receive direct allocation from the federation account so as to achieve rural road maintenance.