Assesing the practices of public partcipation in local development: the case of limmu genet town, oromia

Abstract

The objective of the study is to assess the public participation in local development activities at grassroots level with the particular reference to Limmu Genet town administration. For research design descriptive design study was used in the study. Mixed methods research approach is applied to address research objectives. Sampling technique selected through simple random sampling method. In the study both primary and secondary data were used. For the purpose of this study, the researcher employed descriptive statistical analysis. The findings of the study indicate that there are general legal provisions about the right of the public to participate in the development of their affairs. However, there is serious gap between legal provisions and their implementation on the ground. The capacity of town administration is inadequate to facilitate participation in development. Participation in development is top-down approach in Limmu Genet town administration. The overall extent of public participation is low in Limmu Genet town administration. Therefore, the study concluded with the recommendation that if the public get favorable platform to participate in development activities and their concerns are given due consideration by the government, it has the power to solve its problems by itself. The role of government has to be limited to facilitation rather than maker and provider of local development. The town administration needs intensive capacity building that creates responsive and effective public administration. The stipulation of explicit rules and regulations is required to guide participation and the sharing of benefits of participatory development. The proliferation of community based organizations is necessary to facilitate public participation in local development