Abstract:
Rural road is one of the infrastructure developments implemented in many Woreda of the country
since 2005. Many rural roads (Universal Rural Road Access Program (URRAP) in this case) are
constructed jointly by the community and government participations. Ethiopian government gave
more emphasize on the importance of community participation in its constitution, strategies,
programs and plans as one of the key actors of development. Even though the government
commended potential and tremendous contributions of community participation in local
development in fostering the equality, inclusiveness and sustainability of development, it is hindered
and constrained with various problems. This study aimed at exploring Challenges and
opportunities of community participation in road construction in the Ejere district. To attempt the
research objectives, the study was conducted by adapting descriptive research design. In terms of
approach, mixed method, where both quantitative as well as qualitative data are combined and
analysed. The unit of analysis for this study is Ejere Woreda which has six road district projects,
among which Ejere-Gebajimata-Gorba, Ejere–Telbo-Hiddi and Ejere-Arebsa-Enaftu were sampled
purposively, a total of 332 respondents are randomly selected from residents in the selected kebeles
who benefited from road district project. Data were collected through questionnaire and interviews
of key informants, observation of the field and critically reviewing documents reports of the
concerned Woreda, administration and other relevant government offices. The findings indicated
that the challenges and opportunities of community participation in road construction in the Ejere
woreda in different forms. The level of Community opinions is considered properly in needs
identification and priority setting, planning, implementation as well as evaluating in road
development activities was insufficient, economic situation (financial problem, level of income and
amount of hectare land) of community also determines their active participation in rural road
construction. In rural road construction there was no economic level balance and majority of
community contribute equally without their economic difference, local government use segregating
of community by members of political party and non-members of political party to conduct meeting
of local development, the local government have lack of well-developed legal and policy frame
work is conducive, the structure of local government, enough human resource and lack of
coordination like community participate in levelling and filling holes of roads as doesn’t hold water
during “Kiremt’’, in cleaning of Ditches and sewerage pipes.
