LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM AND SERVICE DELIVERY IN SELECTED LGAs IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

The researcher has examined local government system and service delivery in selected LGAs in Imo State. The work used survey method and primary data was used to collect information through questionnaire. The analysis was done using Percentages, Mean and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (through SPSS version 21.0). It was discovered that there is significant relationship between local government and health care service delivery of rural areas of Imo State, local government significantly enhances rural road maintenance in rural areas of Imo State, and there is significant impact of local government on schools rehabilitation in rural areas of Imo State. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the National Assembly should seriously consider urgent review of the provision of state joint local government account in the 1999 constitution to allow for more fiscal autonomy for the local councils, to enable them to be financially independent so that roles particularly in area of providing adequate security in our rural areas will be assured. The federal government should discard the state local government joint account system in practice and send local government allocation directly to the local governments to enable them perform very actively on primary health care services. There is need to effectively utilize its internal revenue sources so as to finance primary education services and improve literacy level at the local government.