Reasons and Values of Decentralization (219)

Introduction

Decentralization 

No modern state or formal organization can efficiently operate solely from a central headquarters. As societies grow in size and complexity, governance inevitably requires the delegation of authority. Decentralization therefore becomes an essential feature of governance, enabling governments to function effectively while remaining responsive to local needs.

Reasons and Values of Decentralization

Decentralization exists in every government and formal organization because centralized administration alone cannot meet all governance demands. It promotes the following values:

1. Efficiency and Effectiveness

   If all governmental responsibilities were performed at a single focal point, inefficiency would be unavoidable. Decentralization facilitates administrative convenience by distributing responsibilities across different levels of government, thereby improving service delivery.

2. Democracy and Participation

   Decentralization promotes democracy, self-determination, popular participation, and accountability by bringing governance closer to the people and allowing citizens to take part in decisions that directly affect them.

3. Unity and Integration

   Decentralization can promote unity by recognizing local diversity within a national framework. However, in some cases, it may also generate disunity, unequal development, conflicting loyalties, or local conflicts.

Thus, decentralization may perform both functional and dysfunctional roles, but overall it is designed to enhance governance effectiveness.

Local Government / Local Administration / Local Authority

There is hardly any country—ancient or modern—without a system of local government. In Africa, for example, various forms of local governance such as age grades, clans, villages, and chiefdoms existed long before colonial rule.

Local government 

Like decentralization, the practice of local government is based on the reality that no country can govern effectively from the capital alone.

Generally, local government is conceived as the lowest political and administrative subdivision of a country. Being the lowest level, it is both physically and psychologically closest to the people, hence often described as the grassroots level of government.

Local government conveys three interrelated meanings:

1. It operates within a relatively small geographical area.

2. It covers communities with common needs, problems, and aspirations, especially welfare-related issues.

3. It is usually created based on geographical convenience.

Consequently, local government has limited and restricted jurisdiction in terms of:

a. Geography and territory

b. Functions and responsibilities

Creation of Local Government

Local governments are created by higher levels of government, depending on the political system:

• In a unitary system (e.g., Britain), local governments are created by the central government.
• In a federal system like Nigeria, local governments may be created by either the federal or state governments, which has generated constitutional debates over authority.
• In mature federal systems such as the United States, local government is entirely a state responsibility.

The essential purpose of creating local government is to perform specific functions at the local level of society.

Clarifying the Terminology

Although the terms local government, local administration, and local authority are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings in strict usage:

1. Local Administration

Local administration refers to an extension of central or state administration into local areas. It involves the delegation of administrative powers to subordinate units and is an example of administrative deconcentration.

In Nigeria, local governments between 1967 and 1975 largely functioned as local administration.

2. Local Authority

Zaria local government emblem

Local authority refers to a specific local unit, such as Zaria Local Authority, Funtua Local Authority, or Toto Local Authority. Today, such units are generally called local governments.

3. Local Government

There is no universally accepted definition of local government because its practice varies across countries. However, it is generally understood as the lowest tier of government with legally defined powers and responsibilities.

According to Harold Alderfer, there are four major patterns of local government worldwide:

1. Anglo-Saxon

2. French

3. Communist

4. Traditional

Definition and Nigerian Perspective

Local government is generally conceived as the lowest political and administrative unit of a state, closest to the majority of citizens.

Nigerian flag

According to the 1976 Local Government Reforms in Nigeria, local government is:

• Government at the local level exercised through a representative council established by law to exercise specific powers within defined areas.

The reforms emphasized that local government should reflect the true meaning of government, that is, governing at the grassroots level.

Conclusion

Decentralization and local government are indispensable components of modern governance. While decentralization may generate certain challenges, its overall contribution to efficiency, democracy, participation, and grassroots development makes it vital. Local government, as the closest level of government to the people, remains a key instrument for effective governance and national development.