Challenges of participatory approaches on planning and implementation of development plans in local authorities.
Loading...
Date
2008
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
In 2002, Singida District Council ranked the first on Community Participation and on
Planning Procedures, among 38 District Councils on the first batch of the Local
Government Reform Programme. However, despite the adoption of participatory
planning poverty is still a problem among rural communities of Singida district. The main
cause of poverty among other things is poor participation of people during the planning
process. This study therefore aims to identify the existing barriers that limit community
member’s participation in planning process at grass root level.
The generation of ideas in local community and screening process is a bit questionable as
the participatory planning processes do not allow proper incorporation of needs of the
community at lower level. Decision making and social power is a major tool to influence
community development. Participatory planning at grass root level is possible only if all
community members fully participate in decision making and their ideas are respected
and considered. In Singida district council. PPA, PRA and O & OD used as methods of
participatory approach. These methods used in identifying problems of rural communities
in development and help community members to draw village action plans. Still this
approach have very little effect as the majority of community members do not attend
most of the village meetings where problems are identified and development issues that
affect their lives are planned. Deliberate efforts are required to encourage community
members at grass root level to participate in public meetings. This is paramount for the
inclusion of the views of the majority of community members in the development plans.
Action plans should address the views and the needs of the community. Regular training
i'o equip field staff with skills to engage in participatory processes of analysis and
banning will help design better strategics and approaches to handling the facilitation of
participatory planning.
Description
Masters of Business Administration
Keywords
Local authorities, Development plans, Poverty