ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a critical process study and demonstrates the advantages of engaging in multidimensional "impact" cost analysis during the formulation stage of the planning process. It illustrates the process of local government involvement in national development planning, evaluates the priorities attached to various types of programs by local planners, and explores alternative approaches for assessing project proposals at the Local government level that can be employed at an early stage in the planning process. Local government participation in national development planning in Bauchi State differed in important respects from the process followed in Kaduna. Nigerian planning authorities lumped project proposals into broad and vague sectoral categories during the 1980 planning exercise. The effective performance of the roles requires a conducive process and the application of appropriate planning methodologies. A simple and meaningful proposal-evaluation scheme offers a powerful tool for enhancing the involvement of elected policy makers in the plan-formulation process.
