Highlight five (5) ways of effectively controlling the Local Government to live up to its mandate.
Explanation
To ensure that local governments effectively fulfil their mandate and manage resources efficiently, various control mechanisms can be employed. Here are some of them:
1. Executive/Administrative Control:
The executive branch or administrative authorities at higher levels of government can exercise control over local governments through oversight and directive powers. This involves setting guidelines, monitoring the implementation of policies and ensuring compliance with national standards.
2. Threats of Dissolution:
Higher levels of government, such as state or national authorities, can use the threat of dissolution to enforce accountability. If a local government fails to perform its duties or engages in corruption, the central authority might threaten to dissolve the local government and appoint an administrator or take over its functions.
3. Scrutiny of Procurement Processes:
To prevent corruption and ensure proper use of resources, the procurement processes of local governments can be scrutinized. This involves reviewing and auditing how contracts are awarded and ensuring that procurement procedures comply with legal and ethical standards. Scrutiny helps ensure transparency and accountability in how local governments acquire goods and services.
4. Performance Appraisal Contract:
Performance appraisal contracts are agreements that set specific performance targets and standards for local government officials. These contracts include clear metrics for evaluating success and effectiveness. By linking performance to these contracts, local governments can be held accountable for meeting their objectives and providing quality services.
5. Legislative/Parliamentary Control:
Legislative or parliamentary bodies at the state or national level have the authority to oversee and review the actions of local governments. This control includes passing laws that affect local governance, reviewing budgets and expenditures, and holding hearings to assess performance. Legislative control ensures that local governments operate within legal frameworks and adhere to policy directives.
6. Control by the Press:
The media plays a critical role in monitoring and reporting on the activities of local governments. Through investigative journalism and regular reporting, the press can highlight issues of corruption, mismanagement, and inefficiency. Public exposure through the media can prompt corrective actions and enhance accountability.
7. Periodic Audit:
Regular audits conducted by independent agencies or internal audit departments assess the financial and operational activities of local governments. Audits help identify discrepancies, inefficiencies, and areas of concern, providing recommendations for improvement. Periodic auditing ensures that local governments adhere to financial regulations and manage resources effectively.
8. Public Opinion:
Local governments are accountable to the public, and their actions can be influenced by public opinion. Community feedback, petitions, and public meetings allow citizens to express their views and concerns. When local governments are aware of and responsive to public opinion, they are more likely to align their activities with the needs and expectations of their constituents.
9. Sanctioning Unsatisfactory Performance:
Mechanisms for sanctioning unsatisfactory performance include disciplinary actions, removal from office, or other penalties for local government officials who fail to meet their responsibilities. These sanctions serve as a deterrent against poor performance and ensure that local governments adhere to their mandates.
10. Withholding/Reducing Grants:
Higher levels of government can control local governments by withholding or reducing financial grants and allocations. Since local governments often depend on these funds for their operations and projects, the threat or actual reduction of grants can motivate them to improve their performance and compliance with regulations.