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Local Government Tax Utilization and Mobilization in Nigeria: Problems and Prospects

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Local Government Tax Utilization and Mobilization in Nigeria: Problems and Prospects
Local Government Tax Mobilization and Utilization in Nigeria: Problems and Prospects By

Adenike .A. ADEDOKUN Senior Lecturer Dept. of Public Admin. & Local Govt. Studies The Polytechnic, Ibadan. NIGERIA.

Contents
• Introduction • Theoretical Framework

• • • •

Tax Mobilization Local Government Finance and Revenue Utilization Problems and Prospects Conclusion

Historical Background
• • • • • • • • • • Based on Indirect Rule *Local government Ordinance of 1916 *Centralised budget system introduced in 1926 *First Revenue Commission of 1946 *Macpherson Constitution of 1948 which encouraged taxes and rates

Tax Mobilisation
Dependency of most LGs on Statutory Allocation Mobilization shows high decentralization Tax Mobilization seen as bloc sharing LG’ IGR consists of taxes,rates,fines etc (limited.see s Table 1)

Mobilizing Tax for effectiveness
• • • • • • Employment of efficient and educated Tax Collectors Training and re-training of LGs staff Reduce Tax avoidance and evasion Computerized system of Tax Collection Expansion of various taxes in LGs Tax Registration via electronics etc.

Revenue Utilization
• Essential services to the grassroots. • Community development:development projects

Problems
• Lack of well trained staff • LGs Dependency on Statutory Allocation • Autonomy vs Control

• Avoidance of Tax by Private sectors and rich bussinessmen • % remittance of Statutory Allocation from other tiers of government • Outdated mode of tax collection.

Prospects
• • Increase revenue base of LGs focusing on Tax Individual LGs should be encouraged to be independent. • Fiscal autonomy of LGs • Decentralization to encourage stronger LGs.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT TAX MOBILIZATION AND UTILIZATION IN NIGERIA: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS ABSTRACT The federal structure in Nigeria constrains local governments’ ability to mobilize and use revenue to meet their obligation in a sustainable way. Local government system as the third-tier of government deserves



References: Adebayo Adedeji (1970) Local Government Finance in Nigeria: Problems and prospects, Adebayo Adedeji and Rowland, eds. Ile-Ife: University Press pp. 1 – 19. Adedokun, A.A (2004): The Development of Local Government in Nigeria since pre-colonial era to 1999 constitution. Polycom Vol. 2, NO. 2, 2004. Bello Imam, I.B. (Ed) (1990) Local Government Finance in Nigeria, Ibadan NISER Ekpo, Akpan H. (1994): Fiscal federalism: Nigeria Post-Independence experience, 1960-90, World Development Vol. 22, No. 8. Ekpo, AkpanH. And John Ndebbio (1998) Local Fiscal Operations in Nigeria, Research paper 73, AERC Nairobi, Kenya. Emenuga, Chidozie (1993), The Search for an Acceptable Revenue Allocation Formula: The National Question and Economic Development in Nigeria Ibadan. Nigerian Economic Society. Kayode, M.O. (1993). The National Question and Revenue Allocation: An articulation of some of the problems and issues. The National Questions and Economic Development in Nigeria Ibadan: Nigerian Economic Society. Musgrave, R. A (1959): The Theory of Public Finance (New York McGraw-Hill). Oates, Vallace E (1993): Fiscal decentralization and economic development, National Tax journal Vol XLVI, NO. 2 Oates, Wallace E. (1994): Federalism and Government Finance in Modern Public Finance Quigley, J and E. Smolensky, eds. Harvard university Press. Prud’ homme, R (1995): Observer, Vol. 10, No.. 2. The dangers of decentralization, The Wrold rEsearch Roberts, F.O.N. (1998): Paper presented at a Two-day workshops on Effective Budgeting, Planning, Implementation and Evaluation for the Ten Local Councils in Oke-Ogun Area of Oyo State, Iseyin. Tanzi,, Vito (1995) Fiscal federalism and decentralization: A review of some efficiency and macro-economic aspects. Annual conference on Development Economics. Washington, D.C. World Bank. UNDP, and States/Local Government Office of the Presidency FGN. 1998 Human Capacity assessment of Nigeria’ Local Governments (unpublished) s Vincent, O.O. (2001): Fiscal federalism: The Nigerian experience, Public lecture series NO. 4, NES.

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