Local governments are created to

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks about the purpose for creating local governments. In Government (Civics) studies, this is a basic question about decentralization.

Step 2: Explain the concept Local government is the third tier of government in Nigeria, after the federal and state governments. It is established to:

• Bring government closer to the grassroots, so that people can take part in governance
• Provide basic services such as markets, primary healthcare, roads, and sanitation
• Allow local communities to handle problems peculiar to their areas
• Encourage development at the grassroots level
• Relieve the central and state governments of some administrative burdens

Step 3: Evaluate each option

• A. Give more powers to traditional rulers is incorrect. Traditional rulers play advisory and cultural roles. Local governments are not created for the purpose of increasing their power.
• B. Bring the government closer to the people is correct. This is the main reason for decentralizing power to the local level.
• C. Make people obey more of the local laws is incorrect. Law obedience may be a result of local government, but it is not the reason for creating it.
• D. Take over the functions of the central government is incorrect. Local governments do not take over central government functions. They perform functions delegated to them or assigned under the constitution.

Step 4: Answer The correct answer is B. bring the government closer to the people.

Exam tip: When you see "Why are local governments created?", think "closer to the people" or "grassroots development". These phrases appear again and again in WASSCE, NECO, and JAMB Government questions on decentralization, so keep them in mind.