Decentralized Governance And Service Delivery: A Case Study of Digelu And Tijo Woreda of Arsi Zone In Oromia Region
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Date
2006-06
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Addis Ababauniversity
Abstract
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
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A Case Study of Digelu And Tijo Woreda of Arsi Zone In Oromia Region