PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE IN BAYELSA STATE, 2007-2011

Abstract

One common question on the performance of local governments in Bayelsa State is whether over the years they have been able to discharge their assigned constitutional responsibilities satisfactorily. This study focuses on the relationship between public accountability institutions and performance of local governments in Bayelsa State.  The study hypothesizes among others that public accounting institutions   encourage poor performance of local government in Bayelsa State. Data for the study were generated through document study and questionnaire and were analyzed with simple percentage method. The results of the analysis show that public accounting institutions through complicity and connivance have encouraged poor performance of local government functionaries in Bayelsa State. It further revealed that state control of local government has also encouraged poor performance of councils. Finally, it was discovered that the legislative councils of local governments in Bayelsa State are not efficacious enough to cause the executive to implement budgetary provisions to specification. Arising from these, the study recommends among others the constitutional return of autonomy to the local government system to free it from the unnecessary meddling of higher levels of government in its activities.