Functions of Local Government

The functions of local government include the followings:

1. Maintenance of Law and Order: Local governments maintain law and order

through the bylaws which they enact to ensure orderly conduct, avoid breaches

of the peace and safeguard lives and property within their jurisdiction. These

bylaws are operational within a local government area, and are enforced by

security agencies.

2. Provision of Motor Parks and Markets: Local governments provide and

maintain motor parks and markets for the inhabitants of their localities.

3. Collection of Rates, Fees and Rents:Local governments collect rates, fees and

rents for the development of their areas. These include tenement rates, fees on market stalls and motor parks, bicycle and motorcycle, licensing, radio and

television fees.

4. Construction of Feeder Roads and Drainages: Local government construct

and maintain feeder roads, drainages, culverts, urban streets, etc. (the extent of

their involvement in road construction is determined by the central

government.)

5. Provision of Recreational Facilities: Local governments provide recreational

facilities such as swimming pools, amusement parks, football pitches, open

spaces and other recreation grounds where the people can relax or engage in

sporting activities.

6. Provision of Health Facilities: The local governments provide and maintain

health facilities such as heath centers, maternity homes, dispensaries, as well as

refuse dumps for waste disposal. They also provide health education, public

health inspection services, and maintain public conveniences like cemeteries,

toilets, abattoirs etc.

7. Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages: Local governments register

births, deaths and marriage and issue appropriate certificates for these.

8. Provision of Educational Facilities: The local government provides and

maintains schools, libraries and adult education facilities. They find primary

schools by paying teachers‟ salaries and maintaining school buildings.

9. Enlightenment Campaign: The local governments educate the citizens on the

policies and programmes of the local, state and federal governments and relay

to the central government the needs of their people.

10.Establishment of Customary Courts: The local governments provide

customary courts to handle disputes in their areas.

11.Naming and Maintenance of Streets: Local governments maintain and name

streets, and number houses on the streets within their areas of jurisdiction.

12.Establishment of Agricultural and Commercial Ventures: Local

governments provide agricultural extension services to local farmers. They also

maintain small-scale agricultural holdings, to serve as reference centers to the

peasant farmers who are used to the traditional method of farming.

13.Provision of Social Amenities: Local governments provide social amenities

such as water, rural electrification and television viewing centers.