Effect of state and local government fiscal relations on rural development in Ebonyi State Nigeria (2015-2021).

Abstract

This study examined the effect of state and local government fiscal relations with a view to ascertaining the extent to which such interactions have enhanced provision of rural electrification, road networks and quality primary healthcare services in Ebonyi State (2015-2021). The study was content analyzed as there was heavy reliance on secondary data obtained from articles in ranked journals, official publications, peer reviewed texts, etc. The following findings were made – that the operations of state joint local government account have not improved provision of rural electrification projects for rural dwellers in Ebonyi State; that the joint funding of projects have not enhanced provision of rural road networks in Ebonyi State and that the approval of local government estimates by state dominated committee has not encouraged provision of quality healthcare services for rural dwellers in Ebonyi State. The implication of the findings is that if local governments are not granted financial autonomy, development will continue to elude rural areas in the state. The study recommended as follows – that the sections of the constitution that hinder financial autonomy of local government like the state joint local government account should be scrapped; that state government should jointly fund construction of rural road networks and that local governments should be given free hand to moderate their annual estimates without external influence so as to do more in healthcare delivery.