LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION, PRIMARY HEALTH CARE DELIVERY AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN LAFIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NASARAWA STATE
Keywords:
Local Government Administration, Primary Health Care, Infrastructural Development, Rural DevelopmentAbstract
This study examined local government administration, primary health care delivery, and infrastructural development in the Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria, covering the period 2015–2024. Despite constitutional responsibilities and statutory allocations, service delivery and infrastructure provision remain inadequate, raising concerns about administrative effectiveness in promoting rural development. The study was anchored on Effective Service Delivery Theory, which emphasises efficiency, accountability, and the capacity of public institutions to translate resources into tangible outcomes. A descriptive survey design with a mixed-method approach was adopted. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 400 respondents selected using simple random sampling, out of which 385 valid responses were retrieved and analysed. Key informant interviews were also conducted to complement the quantitative data. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics (chi-square), while qualitative data were analysed thematically. Findings revealed that local government administration in Lafia LGA has had a limited and uneven impact on both primary health care delivery and infrastructural development. Although some improvements were observed in accessibility, major challenges persist, including inadequate health personnel, poor infrastructure, irregular drug supply, weak financial accountability, and ineffective policy implementation. The study concludes that local government efforts have not translated into substantial improvements in service quality or sustainable development. It recommends improved staffing, equipment, and drug supply in primary health care centers, alongside enhanced planning, funding utilisation, and maintenance of rural infrastructure to strengthen service delivery outcomes.
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