The significance of grassroots government to the growth and development of any nation cannot be overemphasised. The local government plays several roles in grassroot development and is effectively positioned as the closest to people in the grassroot to undertake effective delivery of public goods ahead of the other tiers of government.
The local government exists as the lowest tier of government and acts within the delegated power by the constitution. Being the third tier, it is meant to set developmental agenda in the grassroots through adequate planning and efficient use of public resources for effective service delivery.
The local government is constitutionally saddled with meeting the grassroots needs by providing essential services such as providing basic education, primary healthcare, parks and gardens, waste disposal, among several others. While the lines of authority and the roles of the local government are clear, the third tier of government has, however, been ineffective in discharging its constitutional duty through adequate delivery of public goods to people at the grassroots.
While there have been lots of public distrust and dissatisfaction with local government administration and thus, the clamour for autonomy and different reforms, The Future Project, through her Ymonitor accountability project, has taken it open itself to champion the effective delivery of public goods across local governments in Lagos.
This is through a statewide survey, tagged: Local Government Performance and aimed at assessing the delivery of public goods across the 20 local government areas in Lagos state. Started May 11th, with over 40 researchers, the project has continued to penetrate the nooks and crannies of Lagos with committed interviewers and enthusiastic respondents.
Currently, our volunteers have covered different local government wards and streets across the 20 local governments of Lagos state.
In Ibeju-Lekki, Iwerekun 1 and 2 has been covered, Oba Wole Ward C and Iju Balogun Ward E in Ifako Ijaiye were also covered and Mafoluku in Oshodi. Our research supports have also covered some parts of Lagos Island, interviewing respondents in Lagos Island, Oluwole, Marina and Tinubu Square.
Other areas that have been reached include Abule egba and Ijaiye in Ifako Ijaiye, constituency 2, Igbogbo in Ikorodu, Alausa, Oregun and Olusosun In Ikeja, Ajara, Ikogi and Iyanfi in Badagry and several others.
Our volunteers have been at the forefront of engaging and interviewing the public, both lettered and unlettered, with our survey forms to assess their local government performances in delivering public goods.
To take the survey, please visit: Local Government Survey