Challenges of Good Governance in Urban Service Delivery: Constraints of Water Supply in Lalo Kile Town Municipality Kellem Wollega Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

In the world of globalization and competition, it’s just Governance matters in accelerating development and in reducing poverty particularly in most developing countries of the world. In line with this, good governance allows for sound and efficient management of resources for equitable and sustainable development. In Ethiopia, where many people are poor, municipality is occupying a pivotal position of the nature of services they provide. They are also highly vulnerable areas for poor governance. The general objective of this study is to assess the challenges of good governance in urban service delivery: constraints of water Supply in a particular reference to Lalo Kile Town municipality. Concerning the methodology, quantitative and qualitative research approaches were employed. Both primary and secondary sources of data were used. Furthermore, simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used. The study comprised 265 total respondents. The primary data were collected through questionnaire, structured interviews, and focus group discussions and were analyzed using descriptive methods. The major findings of the study identified that the most prominent challenges that hinder good governance practices according to the perceptions of research participants in the research site is shortage of water , corruption and poor cooperation in urban service delivery of water which pose as major challenges of good governance among others. Specifically, the existence of rent seeking attitude rooted in local common practices that paved the way for institutional predicaments resulted in lack of commitment from emerging leaders realizing good governance principles, lack of commitment of the employees and lack of qualified manpower. Substantial number of households are not satisfied with service delivery particularly water supply. Furthermore, the knowledge of employees and consideration of grievances raised by residents got scant attention by the municipality. Based on the findings, the study concluded that the condition of good governance in urban service delivery in the study area particularly in water service delivery was not satisfactory. Therefore, the study recommends that it would be better for the municipal administration to promote transparency, responsiveness and accountability, by creating more awareness and training about good governance in the part of public servants transforming their attitudes radically to serve better to the people.