Contending Issues in the Niger Delta Crisis of Nigeria - Journal of ...

Chapter III: Contending Issues in Governance and Democracy at the Local
Government Level in Nigeria: Some Reflections on the Niger Delta Question
to themselves the power of sole ownership of these resources, thereby
depriving the original owners of benefiting from what rightfully
belongs to them (see Orubu et.al, 2002, 56:113). By the time local
governments and the communities are made to participate and share
from the exercise, there will be less tension, and development will be
based on available resources, prudence and need.
(C)
Leadership and Control
As major player in the family of public government;
the importance of local government lies in the fact
that it is the means by which the people can
provide services for themselves, can take an active
and constructive part in the business of
government, and can decide for themselves within
the limits of what national policies and local
resources allow, what kind of service they want and
what kind of environment they prefer.
The above statement by the Royal Commission on local government in
England (1966 – 1969:10 – 11), shows the utilitarian extent to which
local government is desired. However, the pursuit of all the above
listed aspirations is determined to a very large extent by the quality of
leadership. It was Tamuno (1989:20) who said that;
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