Economic and Social Strategies as a Catalyst for Development in Local Government Adminstration: a Case of Iyanomo Community of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State Nigeria

The fundamental purpose of local government is to bring government closer to the people at the grass root level in a federal heterogeneous state. It impact embraces the continuous provision of basic public amenities and promoting economic and social development amongst it citizenry and in its environ. Thus, this research examines the impact of local government administration on economic and social development strategies in Iyanomo community of Ikpoba-Okha local government Area of Edo State. The study adopted survey research design; questionnaires were used as instrument of data collection and simple percentage was used to analyze the data. The study found amongst others that, local government weak financial base hinders them from meeting their developmental goals which explains the lack of stable electricity, amenities, dilapidated roads, weak institutions, ill equipped health care centers and lack of other basic amenities across Nigeria particular Iyanomo Community. Furthermore, policy recommendations were adopted; they include that, local government statutory allocation should be upwardly reviewed from 52.68%, 26.72% and 20.6% to 52.1%, 25.9% and 22.0% at the federal, state and local governments respectively. Local government should be allowed to function without the control of federal and state government. Federal allocation meant for local government should be sent directly to local government and not through state -local government joint account. Finally the local government leadership should be constantly engage in the strategic developmental project devoid of corrupt practices using federal allocation and internally generated revenue within its local government.