Legislative Constituency Project in Nigeria: Implication for National Development

Abstract

The Greek philosopher Aristotle averred that state exists for public goods and continues to exist for the greater good of humanity. Democracy on the other hand gives people opportunity to determine how they are governed. Naturally, the electorate or body of Nigerian masses look up to government for democracy dividends. The Nigerian National Assembly in response to the yearnings of their constituents for development/ federal presence demanded and got “Constituency Project” fund. Since the inception of constituency project in Nigeria there have been misconceptions, misinterpretations and judgement of the constituency project administration. This and indeed some other factors have painted the hallowed chambers of National Assembly in bad light. Therefore, this paper seeks to find out the origin, management etc. of constituency projects in Nigeria. It adopts desk research method; drawing data mainly from secondary source and adopts analytical research in arriving at finding. It found that members of the National Assembly merely identify the needs of the constituents and recommend same to the executive during budgeting. Ultimately, they have no direct control over their implementation; hence the award, financing and supervision of constituency projects are the preserves of appropriate agencies other than the National Assembly. Findings also show that other democracies have similar arrangements in place.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n6p647