An Assessment on Role of Community Participation in Rural Water Supply Project: The case of Debati Woreda, Benishangul Gumuz Regional State

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Date

2011-06

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

This sludy lI'as aim eel 01 examining Ihe role or communily parlicipmion on rtlralll'mer supply projecl. Two Kebeles oj'Debalie Woreda- Amon Ambo and Yamp, in IJenishal1gul-Guli/uz Regional Slate were used as study sites. Data collection lechniques include inlerviell's, slm ciured questionnaire and focus group discussion. Hundred households were selected on mluntary basis and completed Ihe SlrtlCiured questionnaire. Twenty-one focus group discussants and three key iniol'll /(mls ,vere also involved to generate primary data. Both quantitative and qualilalive melhods were used 10 analyze dala. Theflnding indicaled Ihat Ihe participalion orlhe comnlllnity in waler supply projecI in bOlh Sfll(!)' siles lI'as generally low. IlIIplemenling agencies mobilize the cOll1l1l/lI1ity mailily at the construction/ implementalion slage. Because (jj' lhis, cOlllllllmit)"s participation al the implemel1lation or conSlruclion phase is more active as compared 10 olher slllges (jr Ihe water supply projeci. Instilutional supports like capacity building, provision (jrspare parts, andjollow up, impact assessment are limited and these results in poor management of the 1I'(lter suppl)' scheme. Finally, recommendations lI'ere given 10 improve the participation (j/ Ihe community in rtlral water supply pr(jiect. Creating better (IIV(lr(!ness among lhe cOI11IJ1lmi!y aboltl the needs of communily panicipofion un \Foler supply project; mobilizing the co /nlllllnity s{(lrling Fom Ihe project p lanning stage to lI1on itoring and evaluation (j/ the schellle; selling criteria for the selection of trainees and providing adequate training jar WC lIIember and users to can )' 0111 Ihe operation ami maintenance of ,\'Oter syslems, and making lise of trained water allendants. All these are areas, ,vhich needs improvellJel1f on II,e side ()/ illlpielllel1l ing agency. Diversified analysis based on the di/Terenl siakehoiders should be cel1lml to an)' I'IIral ,vater planning Both impleillenting agency and (he cOlil/llunit)' have 10 involve ill idel1lijj'ing factors that prevent communities Fom particljJOtion. Opposition regarding impleillentalion (j/ the project requirillg capital COSI and other cOl1fributions Fom the COl11l1l1mities is emerging It is crucial 10 kno,l' whether Ihis has any posilive or negative implications on/imll'e olltcomes.

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Keywords

Rural Water Supply Proj ect

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