Exploring the Implications of insecurity on Health and Social Sources of Revenue Generation in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

Insecurity in the study area has caused setbacks in economic activities such as markets, health services and other social services. Businesses had remained closed in many areas thereby creating difficulties in generating revenues by the local authorities. It is based on this premise that this study examined, specifically, the effect of Boko Haram insurgency on Social and Health sources of revenue generation in the period before insurgency (from 2002 - 2008) and during the peak of the crisis (between 2009 - 2015). Using quasi-experimental research design, a total of 200 questionnaires were administered to staff of treasury department of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), who were randomly selected and administered the questionnaire. Paired Sample t-test was used to test inferentially, the existence or otherwise of a mean-difference in revenue generation from these sources across the two periods examined. The results revealed that street naming registration fee and all sources of health revenues, including slaughter fees were affected by insurgency. Meanwhile, revenues from the registration of social organizations such as NGOs and hospitality by hotels was found unaffected by insurgency, rather it actually increased relative to the period before insurgency. The study concludes that insurgency affects majority of studied revenue source except those associated with social organizations. The study recommends government at all levels to consider adopting strategies to restore security not only to reduce sufferings and poverty rate in the state but also increase the number of taxable revenue sources.