Assessment on the Implementation of Woreda Decentralization in Gambella Regional State: The Case of Abobo and Lare Woredas
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Date
2011-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This research is concerned with the assessment on the implementation ofworeda decentralization in
Gambella Peoples National Regional State with particular emphasis to Abobo and Lare woredas. It
allempted to explore the objectives, legal and institutionalframeworks and implementation stat liS of
the recently embarked DLDP and fiscal decentralization in the Gambella region. Secondly, the study
provided a modest preliminmy investigation of some pel/ormance indicators of the program in terms
of power and authority, local governance processes, inter-governmental relations, .financial and
administrative capacities, planning and budgeting processes, community participation and basic
service delivelY trends with particular reference to the two woredas. Finally, the study tried to illustrate
some of the major inherent and encountered problems and the possible pro;pects of the program.
To meet the above o~ject ives, the research employed more of qualitative case study approach.
Both primary and secondmy data sources were used in gathering pertinent in/ormation. The technique
of collecting primmy data includes in-depth interviews at regional, woreda and kebele levels, foc us
group discussions with the community and personal observation. Secondmy sources are published and
unpublished materials such as books, different reports and manuals that cover federal to the woreda.
Descriptive method of analysis is used to analyze the primmy and secondary data.
The study found olltthat decentralization in general and woreda decentralization in particular had not
been implemented adequately due to several reasons. It is challenged by many problems such as
inadequate devolution of pawer, limited decisions-making authority and autonomy tran.~ferred to local
governments, absence of polilical will and commilment to devolve power in real sense, lack of legal
and institutional ji'amework, poor inter-governmental relations and weak coordination with different
stakeholders, upward accountability and absence of tramparency in the operation of local
governments, shortage of resources (skilled human power and materia/), limited administrative,
institutional and technical local capacities, weak budgeting and expenditure administration, poor
revenue generating capacity and heavy financial dependency on fede ral and regional governments,
and weak public sector service deliveries. Regarding participation, there is low level of community
participation in different sectors at the stage of problem identification, prioritization of needs,
planning and budgeting processes and decision making activities at regional and local levels.
Hence, to make decentralization meaningful and bene.fits of woreda decentralization to be realized,
recommendations are made on power and authority, political commitments, legal and institutional
ji'ameworks, capacity issues, inter-governmental relations, accountability, transparency, financial and
human resources and community participation.
Key Words: Woreda Decentralizatiol1, Devolution, Local Govemance, Local Capacity, Plallllillg
and Budgetillg, COllllllunity Participation amI Service Delivery
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Keywords
Devolution, Local Govemance, Local Capacity, Plallllillg and Budgetillg