Local Government Autonomy and Service Delivery in Enugu State Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the influence of local government autonomy on service delivery in Enugu State, Nigeria, focusing on infrastructure development, healthcare provision, and education services. Despite constitutional provisions guaranteeing autonomy, local governments often face state interference, limited fiscal independence, and administrative bottlenecks, which impede effective service delivery. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 367 respondents across selected local government councils through structured questionnaires. The study employed chi-square statistical tests to determine the relationship between autonomy and service delivery indicators. The finding revealed that poor implementation of local government autonomy has a significant negative influence on infrastructure development in Enugu State (χ² = 48.732, df = 4, p < 0.05), that Poor implementation of local government autonomy has a significant negative effect on the provision of healthcare services in Enugu State (χ² = 55.821, df = 4, p = 0.000), and that Poor implementation of local government autonomy significantly affects the provision of education services in Enugu State (χ² = 50.934, df = 4, p = 0.000). The study concluded that poor implementation of local government autonomy significantly undermines service delivery in Enugu State, affecting infrastructure, healthcare, and education sectors. Local governments’ limited fiscal and administrative independence, coupled with state interference, hinders timely project execution, resource allocation, and community responsiveness. The study recommended among others that to address the negative impact of poor local government autonomy on infrastructure development in Enugu State, governments should grant councils genuine fiscal and administrative independence, strengthen transparency and accountability mechanisms, and empower local authorities to plan, fund, and execute projects.