LGVI Methodology

The Local Developmental Accountability Framework (LDAF)

The LGVI is anchored in the Local Developmental Accountability Framework, which redefines accountability at the local level beyond fiscal flows to encompass the full chain from resource origin to citizen-perceived outcome. Three propositions ground the framework: accountability is triadic (downward, upward, and lateral); vulnerability is structural, not personal; and citizen perception is itself a governance outcome, not noise.

Dimension weighting

The LGVI uses a two-tier weighting system. Tier 1 — Foundational dimensions (55% combined) are the structural preconditions without which other dimensions cannot function. Tier 2 — Mediating dimensions (45% combined) translate those preconditions into outcomes and behaviour.

Three data streams

• Stream 1 — Administrative. Audited financial reports, GIFMIS, NDPC, treasury, ministry registers.
• Stream 2 — Qualitative. Key informant interviews and structured institutional assessment against scoring rubrics.
• Stream 3 — Perception. Citizen perception household survey (CAPI, 25–30 minutes, multilingual).

Accountability Distortion Score (ADS)

The ADS is the LGVI's signature methodological innovation. It is the weighted average of per-dimension absolute gaps between the administrative/qualitative sub-score and the citizen perception sub-score:

ADS = Σ (dimension_weight × |admin_sub[d] − perception_sub[d]|)

A high ADS combined with a moderate LGVI signals a legitimacy crisis, not a service-delivery crisis.

Missing-data protocol

If 1 indicator in a dimension is missing, remaining indicators are pro-rated. If 2+ are missing, the dimension is flagged provisional. If >50% of a dimension's indicators are missing, it is excluded from the aggregate and reported separately as a data-gap finding — a failure to collect is itself a governance signal.