Intergovernmental relations between central government and selected local authorities in Namibia with special reference to the decentralisation process

Abstract

Abstract by author:

In order to carry out this research, the study adopted an evaluative method that utilized questionnaire, interview, 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; councillor-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. In 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 very basis of local government, inter dependency, and centralizes 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. Similarly, 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 democratic 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 to take part in policy making on matters pertaining to their lives at local level. The MRLGH [Ministry of Regional and Local Government and Housing] 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 representatives of the people at grass roots level