Local government practices, challenges and opportunities: the case of jimma town administration thesis report submitted to the school of graduate studies of jimma university in partial fulfillment of the award of the degree of masters of public management (mpm)

Abstract

This study was aimed to assess local government practices, challenges and opportunities of Jimma town administration and some selected kebeles. This study applied the descriptive survey design with the mixed approach of the study. For the purpose of this study the researcher employed purposive sampling technique. The data was obtained through primarily and secondary source of data. Moreover the researcher employed Questionnaire, In-depth interview, FGD and observation as an Instrument of data collection. SPS version 20 was employed to analyze the data collected quantitatively from the participants of the study. The study incorporated 160 sample size out of the 370 employees of these selected kebeles, Jimma town administration and municipality of the town. As the result of the study revealed that, the level of local governance in the town was found to be fairly poor. This implies lack of network and cooperation between the administration and other stake holders in the society such as civil society organizations, private business sector and other governmental organizations. Direct accountability to the public was very low. This was due to absence of information to the public scrutiny and failure of the administration to allow the society to involve in examining and improving its overall performance. The level of participation was poor interims of information, consultation, involvement, collaboration and empowerment. The society has a good potential for participation due to the presence of awareness and interest for participation in the society. The practice of corruption and discrimination in time of providing service specifically in municipal office were highly prevailing. Finally, as the recommendations were forwarded with the hope that the administration will take it in to account. The administration should facilitate the conditions that can foster its interaction and cooperation with various stake holders in the society. This can be done by providing various opportunities that promotes communications and working in collaboration to solve common problems of the society. Policy makers should follow bottom up approach in order to account for the problems and interest of the society. It is necessary to develop mechanisms through which services can be provided with in a short period of time and fast complaint handling can be achieved. As long as possible it is necessary to receive feedback of the society in every aspect of the administration's activity. This can be done through citizen report card or by establishing common suggestion box. To improve direct accountability to the public, the administration should allow and invite various members of the society to examine and improve its performance. The administration has to improve the level of information, consultation, involvement, collaboration and empowerment of the society