AN ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY AND SERVICE DELIVERY IN THE AREA DEVELOPMENT COUNCILS’ FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

Abstract

This study examines public accountability and service delivery in the Area Development 
Councils of the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. The structured questionnaire involved 
400 respondents, with 204(51.0%) being male, and 196(49.1%) being females. A 
questionnaire was used for data collection, while statistical analysis involved the use of 
multiple and simple linear regressions. Three null hypotheses were tested and findings 
showed   that   public   accountability along with its dimensions of transparency, 
responsiveness and responsibility significantly explained 25.5% of the variance observed 
in public service delivery in the Federal Capital Territory Area Development Councils. 
Results also showed that, monitoring significantly accounted for 6.8% of the variance 
observed in public service delivery in the Federal Capital Territory Area Development 
Councils. Further, the findings revealed that public accountability and monitoring, when 
considered together, significantly and positively accounted for 26.9% of the variance 
observed in public service delivery.The study recommended that the authorities of the 
Federal Capital Territory Area Development Councils implement measures to strengthen 
existing institutions of public accountability and establish such institutions where they do 
not currently exist. This, among other recommendations, is intended to enhance public 
service delivery within the Federal Capital Territory Area Development Councils.