Aspects of Decentralization Practices in Sidama Zone of the SNNP Regional State: A focus 011 Dale and Bensa Weredas.
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2000
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Sillce 1992, Ethiopia has embarked on extensive decentralization and regions have been
givell extensive decision making power and responsibilities in administering their
respective regions. J-/mv ever, if we understand decentralization as making governance
closer 10 people and strengthening local/ wereda government little is done at wereda
level.
The silualioll in Sidama zone indicates that local government officials have no clear idea
as 10 what belongs to Ihe wereda and what belongs to the higher level. The weredas have
/illle or 110 aulollomy 10 plan and make decisions and no sources of revenue, which could
be used, for local development activities. Moreover, they are highly dependent on zone
for recurrent budget and the capital budget does not flow to wereda level. Regarding
service delivery, although considerable expansion is witnessed, due to lack of standard
and Cjuality problems most of the health posts and health centers could not be used for
illlended purpose. Moreover, lillle allention was given to recurrent cost of the institutions
lind I71QJljJ0l<Ver requirements.
Therefore, to make decentralization meaningful, wereda government should be
elllpowered to raise some financial resources, which could be usedfor local development.
The capital budget should reach to wereda level and wereda should be empowered to
prepare plans and implement some projects according its capacity. Moreover, to avoid
('ol1i'.1sions alld ambiguity, powers and i ilnctions of each tiers of government should be
clearly specified and listed. Added to this in order to avoid wastage of resources local
level development eij'orts should be coordinated by responsible government organ and
the public sector should rnonitor and support the activities of other stake holders at local
level.
Description
Keywords
Decentralization Practices