Decentralization at Local Government Level and Its Impact on Development: The Case Study of North Shoa Zonal Administration, Oromia Regional State
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Date
2007-07
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A.A.U
Abstract
The concept of decentralization defies clear-cut definitions. However, in the
study of politics decentralization refers to the territorial distribution of power. It is
concerned with the extent to which power and authority are shared through the
geographical hierarchy of the state and the institutions through which such processes
take place. Decentralization entails the subdivision of the state's territory into smaller
areas and the creation of political and administrative institutions at regional or local
level.
Many countries have been considered decentralization as a strategy that will
bring service delivery closer to consumers, improve the responsiveness of the central
and local governments to public demands and thereby improve the efficiency and
quality of public services. Decentralization is believed to improve development
activities by empowering sub-national governments and the people in the design and
implementation of development programs.
Since May 1991, Ethiopia adopted decentralization policy and a federal form of
government was formalized by a new constitution that came into effect in 1995. Thus in
accordance with the power rendered to member states of the Federal Government of
Ethiopia, the regional state of Oromia established 12 zones under its jurisdictions. One
of the zonal administrations is North Shoa Zonal Administration.
Although, officially authority and power seem to be devolved from the central
government to regions, the extent of decentralization to sub-regional levels of
government, (Zone, district, etc. .. ) is weak. As a result the decentralization policy could
not be fruitful as it was desired to be in expediting development endeavors or bringing
viable change in the living condition of the grass roots community.
Several factors could be cited for the weak performance of the decentralization
reform at local government level. Lack of genuine commitment towards devolving
power to sub-national units, insufficient experience as well as skewness of the
decentralization drive to political cause than socio-economic purposes are some of the
weakness on the part of the central government. Whereas very low administrative and
man power capacity and high degree of polarization to party politics and agendas at
the cost of neglecting the voice of their people that they ought to serve are major
weaknesses on the part of local government officials.
In general unless corrective measures are taken by all concerned parties to reverse
the current shortcomings seen in the decentralization process, the condition of poor
local areas would tend to become even poorer let alone achieve the desired
development goals. Therefore, the propounded autonomy would be void of meaning,
because they would continue to be dependent on the state. What the present study has
observed in North Shoa Zonal Administration is the true reflection of this reality.
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Keywords
Impact on Development, Oromia Regional