REVENUE GENERATION AND UTILIZATION IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEMENT: PROBLEM AND PROSPECTS (A CASE STUDY OF OWERRI MUNICIPAL)

ABSTRACT
This paper tends to examine the effectiveness of revenue generation and utilization in the local government system, the works is designed to address the issue on the problems and prospects of revenue generation and utilization in Owerri municipal since, the importance of revenue cannot be over emphasized in every aspect of life, it serve as a life wire of every business, which helps the organization to attain its goals for the purpose of clarity, this write up is divided into five chapters. In carrying out this study the researcher distributed questionnaire interviewing some responsible officials. Also hypothesis were formulated and tested using percentage and table analysis from the analysis of finding and test of hypothesis, the researcher made the following major recommendations were made. (1) the inadequate logistics and its problems to Owerri municipal council (2) the need for planning, budgeting and auditing in order to improve revenue generation in Owerri municipal council (3) the need for training and developments of workers in oweiri municipal. (4) the validity of communication system in Owerri municipal council.

1.0 INTRODCUTION.
The revenue generation and utilization in any local government can hardly be overemphasized. The organization more specially local government is known to have attained or sustained high level of economic growth and development without amply supply of funds and utilization of the establishment people of the locally are use to manage their affairs and achieved the set goals of the council. The above statement explain that local government system are established and expected to perform as well as carryout specific responsibility in improving the living standard of their local dwellers.

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Revenue has been considered as a significant issue in the economic development of any nation. It’s importance cannot be over emphasized, be it the federal, state or local government. It serves as a life wire of every business which helps the organization to attain its goals. Revenue is of great importance to national planning and development.
The origin of revenue generation and utilization in the local government started with local government reform of (1976) constitution where local government as established to create impact in the generation of revenue for the development of people in the local government area. This (1976) constitution gave the rural people a sense of belonging in the allocation of “national cake,” since Nigeria constitution provides local government authorities with unique opportunities and challenges to achieve self generation of income for economic growth and development Akpan (1985: 43)

Again, the “1985” Nigeria constitution equally provide that local government authorities should benefits from the federal state government revenue to have these supplemented with their self generation revenue. All the efforts are aimed at making local government viable and self reliant.
These are a total of seven hundred and seventy four (774) local government councils in Nigeria including Imo State which has twenty seven (27) local government councils.

These local government areas are trying to generation enough fund to sustain themselves financially in these covers, these are many hindrance on the way to their success ranging from instability and poor condition of the economy, poorly conflicted road for revenue collection, uncooperative attitude of payee, insufficient industrial units, inadequate supply of social amenities etc. these problems standing against revenue generation government including Owerri municipal as a case study.
These problems have stimulated the researcher to move into a great mission through research in order in set up strategies to achieve these goals.
Poor revenue generation will no doubt prevent the council from rendering good services to the public. The researcher work is therefore set to examine the prospect and problems encountered in revenue generation in Owerri municipal and proper solution.