Local government reform programme (lgrp) and village governance in Mbarali district, Tanzania
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Date
2008
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
This study presents the role of LGRP in village governance for social and economic
development to communities in rural areas in Mbarali District Council. The general
objective was to explore the impact of LGRP in village governance for the social and
economic development of communities in rural areas. The specific objectives were: to
examine the extent to which local government reforms has addressed administrative factors
of village governance; examine the extent to which the District Council provides support to
village governments on village governance in relation to LGRP; examine the extent to
which village governments participate in village governance and identify problems which
impede better performance of village governance. Cross-sectional research design was
employed by using open and closed ended questionnaires from a sample of 120
respondents who were divided into village council members (56), village ordinary people
(48), technical people (government employees) working in the village (12). District
Officials responsible for LGRP were also consulted as key informants at the district level
to gather more information on LGRP. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for
Social Science (SPSS). Study overall results revealed that 63.3% of people interviewed
were satisfied with the village governance as a result of LGRP. The respondents
mentioned, for instance; availability of village multiparty elections;
increase in
government school buildings; participation in decision making; construction of village’s
office and permanent employment of VEOs. To the contrary 37.7% of the interviewed
people showed dissatisfaction over villages’ governance. The reasons for dissatisfaction
included for instance; inadequate number of village council members; inadequate
knowledge on leadership by village leaders; inadequate village revenue collection; conflict
between village chairpersons and VEOs and lack of motivation to leaders. The study
makes policy and operational recommendation to improve good governance at the village
and other levels and organs of the District Council.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Mbarali district, Cross-sectional, Local government reforms, Economic development, Mbarali District Village