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Local Government Area (LGA) is an administrative division of a country that a local government is responsible for. The sizes of LGAs varies by country but it is generally a subdivision of a state, province, division, or territory. Nigeria has 774 local government areas (L.G.As). Each local government area is administered by a Local Government Council consisting of a chairman who is the Chief Executive of the LGA, and other elected members who are referred to as Councillors. Each of the areas is further subdivided into wards with a minimum of ten and a maximum of fifteen for each area.
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Constitutional Functions of the Local Government Areas in Nigeria
The functions of Local Governments are detailed in the Nigerian Constitution and include:
- Economic recommendations to the State;
- Collection of taxes and fees;
- Establishment and maintenance of cemeteries, burial grounds and homes for the destitute or infirm;
- Licensing of bicycles, trucks (other than mechanically propelled trucks), canoes, wheelbarrows and carts;
- Establishment, maintenance and regulation of markets, motor parks and public conveniences;
- Construction and maintenance of roads, streets, drains and other public highways, parks, and open spaces;
- Naming of roads and streets and numbering of houses;
- Provision and maintenance of public transportation and refuse disposal;
- Registration of births, deaths and marriages;
- Assessment of privately owned houses or tenements for the purpose of levying such rates as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly of a State; and,
- Control and regulation of out-door advertising, movement and keeping of pets of all descriptions, shops and kiosks, restaurants and other places for sale of food to the public, and laundries.
Below is the recent list (2019) of the richest local government areas in Nigeria. The rating was done according to the internally generated revenues of the LGAs ranging from oil productions to agro products, gains from mineral resources extraction processes like mining (this is rampant amongst the LGAs with natural resources), the number of employments and unemployment etc.
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- Obio Akpor LGA
Obio Akpor is the wealthiest Local Government Area in Nigeria in terms of natural resources such as oil and natural gas although the people still involved in agricultural practices. Located in
Rivers State which is among the richest states in Nigeria. Obio Akpor is one of the major cities of the Niger Delta region. The local government is also divided into 7 different wards.
- Ikeja LGA
It is sited in Lagos state and also it’s capital. In the list by nigerianinfopedia.com, Ikeja is the second richest Local Government Area in Nigeria. It serves as a home to one of Nigeria’s international airport, with resources such as wood, water, coal, natural gas found in the state.
The largest mall in
Lagos state is located at Ikeja.
- Kurmi LGA
Located in
Taraba state, Kurmi L.G.A is the third richest local government in Nigeria.
It is known for its fertile land which is an added advantage to their agricultural prowess. Kurmi local government area is often regarded as the agricultural home of the country as they produce the majority of the food consumed in the entire country and for themselves.
- Esan Central LGA
It is situated in
Edo state with many towns and cities.
Esan Central LGA is the fourth richest local government area in Nigeria today just like Kurmi LGA, its major sector is agriculture. There are also hospitals, factories, hotels e.t.c in the area.
The indigenes of Esan Central are also believed to own the most sophisticated cars in the state.
- Etinan LGA
Etnan local government area is located in
Akwa Ibom State. Placed as 5th richest local government area in Nigeria, is also one of the most beautiful cities in Nigeria. Research has proven it to be the richest in oil production in Nigeria and also the most peaceful area in the entire country.
Source:
Wikipedia
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