College of Development Studies

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Browsing College of Development Studies by Subject "A Case Study of Digelu And Tijo Woreda of Arsi Zone In Oromia Region"

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    Decentralized Governance And Service Delivery: A Case Study of Digelu And Tijo Woreda of Arsi Zone In Oromia Region
    (Addis Ababauniversity, 2006-06) Kanea, Kumera; Berhanu, Kassahun (PhD)
    This study describes the performances and constraints of public service delivery in Digelu & Tijo woreda of Arsi Zone in Oromia Region. It assesses the performance in education, health, water supply, and rural roads sectors of the woreda, and compares the performances of these sectors between the periods before and after woreda decentrali zation. The study argues that properly institutionalized and functioning institution is decisive for efficient and responsive decentralized public service delivery. Qualitative and quantitative data that informed the study were collected from primary and secondary sources. Planning and performance reports, financial reports and manpower reports from secondary sources and interviews with representatives of se lected public service institutions and community members were among the major sources of data. The findings of the study indicated the existence of better performance in ed ucation and rural roads sectors under the decentralization scheme. Minor differences have been observed in the health sector while there was no change in the performance of the water supply. Overall performance was found to be low, which makes it difficult to conclude that there is significant change contrary to the expectations hoped to be realized after decentralization. This is because of constraints in financial and human resources and weaknesses in coordination and participation characterizing different actors in the woreda. Low revenue generating capacity increased dependence on regional block grants thereby limiting financial resources available for public service delivery. Scarcity of manpower inhibited delivery of public services particularly in the front line offices. Lack of proper coordination and participation hindered proper identification of local needs and resulted in lack of fairness in budget allocation for providing different public services. Priority setting has been dominated by sector offices and cabinet decisions, which restricted utilization of local potentials in terms of participation and affected the efficiency and responsiveness of the study woreda. This confirms that availability of financial and human resources and smooth relations among different actors in terms of coordination and participation are crucial in public service delivery. The study also indicated that the decentralization scheme is not yet adequately supported by necessary institutional prerequisites. Decentralization increases the efficiency and responsiveness of public service providing agencies under properly institutionalized and functioning system