The Effect of Service Delivery on Citizens Trust in FCT Area Councils, Abuja: A Conceptual Review

Abstract

Federal Capital Territory Area Councils are constitutionally mandated to provide primary healthcare, education, roads, water, sanitation and other basic services, yet there is a growing perception among residents that service delivery is poor despite substantial statutory allocations and internally generated revenue. The study adopted a conceptual review approach anchored on  Performance based theory and was guided by the context of rapid population growth, infrastructure pressure, transparency deficits, and the July 2024 Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments. The review established that service delivery in the six Area Councils Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali is characterized by gaps in health facilities, dilapidated schools, poor rural roads, inadequate water supply and inconsistent waste management. These deficits have contributed to low citizen trust, weak revenue compliance, and citizen disengagement from council activities. It concluded that citizen trust is earned through consistent and visible performance, and that financial autonomy will only restore confidence if it translates into improved services. The study recommended institutionalizing performance scorecards, enhancing transparency and budget disclosure, strengthening citizen engagement, prioritizing maintenance, and leveraging technology for service delivery and revenue collection to rebuild trust in FCT Area Councils.