Intergovernmental relations between central government and selected local authorities in Namibia with special reference to the decentralisation process
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Date
2004
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
Although decentralisation is a basic tenet of local democracy in local government operations, the central government and local authorities do not seem to adhere to basic principles that the concept seeks to promote, particularly in policy and legislation formulation on matters pertaining to local authority affairs. This negates the values of local self-government, democracy or participation, liberty and autonomy. which are powerful ideological elements in the establishment of local government institutions in Namibia. This study was undertaken to test this proposition. so as to incline policy and legislation formulation by the central government and local authorities into partnership, in line with provisions of Article 1 {2) and chapter 12 (3) of the constitution for the Republic of Namibia. In order to carry out this research, the study adopted an evaluative method that utilised questionnaire, literature review, and documentary search techniques. Focus was mainly on local authority consultation, participation, centre local relationship, division of decision-making powers between the central government and local authorities; councilior-community relationship and councillors' contact with local development committees. The study revealed that very little consultation takes place in issues of national policy and legislation formulation, particularly on matters that pertain to local authority affairs between the two levels of policy namely, central government and local authorities. Legislation and national policies pertaining to local authority affairs are initiated, conceived and formulated
by the central government. fn most cases, local authorities merely implement centrally
planned policies and legislation. Another interesting finding is that councillors usually
determine what their local clients (community members) want without their involvement. This scenario negates the ve1y basis of local government, interdependency and centralises political decision-making power to the centre. Thus, the central government regards local authorities as mere extensions of the state through which the power of the state filters, and that. they are subordinate bodies upon which policies can be imposed. Similar£v, local authority councillors regard community members as ordinary people on whom any decision can be imposed. This whole policy and legislation formulation scenario is typical of a top-down approach that does
not augur well with the dernocratic principles upon which the Republic of Namibia was
established. This study advocates that, participation in national policy and legislation formulation between the central government and local authorities on matters pertaining to local authority affairs should be encouraged. Furthermore, community members should be vigorously pursued ro take part in policy making on matters pertaining to their lives at local level. The MRLGH and local authorities should form a partnership in policy initiation. formulation and implementation. Instead of political decision-making power to vest in the central government, such power should be shared with local authorities composed of elected represematives of the people at grass roots level.
Description
A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Keywords
Central government, Local authorities, Decentralisation