Public Participation In Basic Local Development : Context And Process The Case Of Meta Wolkite District

Abstract

The purpose of this Research is to assess the situations of participation at grassroots level with the particular reference to Meta wolkite Woreda Administration. The problems associated with public participation are lack of genuine participation, , lack of commitment by the Woreda government structure to create a space for public participation. The objective of this research is to explore the public participation in local development in the case of Meta WolkiteDistrict. The research was descriptive in type and used mixed research methods, both qualitative and quantitative data collection methodologies. Sampling techniques included questionnaires, interviews, and literature reviews, which were used as primary and secondary data sources, respectively. 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. The capacity of Woreda Government is inadequate to facilitate participation in development. Participat ion is undertaken through financial, material, labor, and professional services.. Participation in development is topdown approach in Meta wolkite Administration, which characterized by elites‘ domination of decisions making. The overall extent of public participation is low in Meta wolkite Administration. Participation in development results in a relatively better personal empowerment compared to social and political empowerment. It enhances economic empowerment through creating access to economic resources and opportunity structure that enhance economic empowerment. It‘s concluded that if the public get Awareness and 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. However, public participation in development is not to the extent that brings transformation and does not bring people who are outside the decision making process in to it. The public is recognized as passive recipients of development benefits and clients rather than agent and participant in development efforts. The role of government has to be limited to facilitation rather than maker and provider of local development. The Woreda Government needs intensive capacity building that creates responsive and effective public administration.