THE EFFECTS OF STATE - LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT ACCOUNT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN NIGER STATE (A CASE STUDY OF GBAKO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA)

ABSTRACT This study is aimed at assessing the effect of State-Joint Local Government Account on the performance of Local Government using Gbako Local Government as a case study area. The general objective of the study is to investigate the relationship between State -Local Government Joint Account and the performance of Gbako Local Government Area of Niger State, and the specific objectives were: to examine the reasons for the establishment of SLGJA, to determine the relationship between SJLGA and performance of Gbako Local Government’ to examine the challenges of State Joint Local Government (SLGJA) facing Gbako Local Government’ to identify strategies that will help to boost the performance of Gbako Local Government. This research used cross-sectional research design with both quantitative and qualitative approaches. A sample size of 113 respondents participated in the study was randomized from the total derived population of 1170 staff comprising of top management staff, middle management staff and lower management staff in Gbako local government with the utilization of Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sample size technique. The 5-point Likert scale of response was utilized. The study recommended that The State Joint Local Government Account should be re-defined and structured so as to give room for local government efficient and effective performance, the financial autonomy of local government should be restored, the idea of SLGJA should, if possible, scrap so as to restore both political rights and financial autonomy of local governments. This will indeed go a long way to improve the efficient performance of local governments and the 10% internally generated revenue of state government should be reinforced so as to be given to local government as stipulated in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.