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PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES OF GOOD

GOVERNANCE IN ETHIOPIA: THE CASE OF
HAWASSA CITY MUNICIPALITY, SOUTH
NATION, NATIONALITY AND PEOPLE
REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA.
*Tewodros Abuhay Meretu, ** Bitwoded Admasu Dagnew, # Demeke Desta Dana

*Assistant Professor of Development Studies, Department of Civics and Ethical Studies, College of Social Sciences and
Humanities, University of Gondar, P. O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia

**Assistant Professor of European Studies, Department of Civics and Ethical Studies, College of Social Sciences and
Humanities, University of Gondar, P. O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia.

#Lecturer of Civics & Ethical Studies, Department of Civics and Ethical Studies, College of Social Sciences and
Humanities, Jinka University, Jinka, Ethiopia.

Received:3rdd January, 2020; Accepted:28th January, 2020; Published:26th February,2020

ABSTRACT

The main objective of this study was to assess the practice and challenges of good governance at Hawassa city municipality.
The study employed mixed research approach and cross-sectional research design. Accidental and purposive sampling
methods were employed to select respondents. The primary data were collected from service users and service providers using
questionnaire and interview. Beside to this, document analysis was made to support the primary data. The data was analyzed
and presented by using tables, frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The study found that, the administrative
officials under Hawassa city municipality were less accountable and transparence in the process of service provision. The
study further found that good governance practices at Hawassa city municipality were hindered by various factors, such as,
corruption, poor management, political interference, bureaucratic delay and incompetence. Establishing institutional
framework and mechanism to follow-up the implementation of good governance, the institution open their door for the
participation of other stake holders, Increasing the implementing capacity of the service providers in the institution through
training, the necessity of using different mass media including the regional mass media for good governance issues, struggling
against corruption are recommended for the failures of the institution in their run forward to achieve good governance.
Keywords: Good governance, Principles of good governance, Participation, Accountability

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advocates the principles of decentralization, regional

INTRODUCTION autonomy and efficiency to enhance popular participation
There is strong evidence that governance matters in and to promote good governance, accountability and
accelerating development and in reducing poverty in most transparency (ECA, 2005). According to the ministry of
countries of the world. Advocates have linked the work and urban development(2007), the main objectives
advancement of a variety of issues to improved has been to create and strengthen urban local governance
governance. Since the end of the 1980s, the issue of good that will ensure the traits (a particular quality) of good
governance, as an instrument for sustained development governance such as public participation, democratization
and poverty alleviation, has gained widespread and enhance decentralized service delivery through
acknowledgment, especially among international institutional reforms, capacity building system
organizations. It has also been dominating the development and training. Formerly in its strategy,
international discussion about development and Ethiopia sustainable development and poverty reduction
international assistance to developing countries (Imran program (SDPRP), the issue of good governance and
and Shahnawaz, 2009; Anowar, 2010). decentralized governance was considered as one of the
building block and in the struggle against poverty
According to African governance report (2012), the issue (Minister of work & urban development, 2005-2009).
of poor governance in African public sector had also well Although, the government of Ethiopia has taken important
documented and identified as one of an age old problems measures to promote good governance by ratifying a
that serve as a bottleneck of development. Timothy and number of international human right instruments and the
Maitreesh (2005) pointed out that public services delivery FDRE constitution adopted a multi-party government
in many African countries is riddled with bureaucracy, system and accepted most of the internationally
corruption, selfishness and favoritism that tend to benefit recognized convections since 1991, the process of good
the privileged few at the expense of impoverished many governance building is facing serious and complex
and this has service offered by the different public sector challenges with that of the infancy of building good
institutions. Ethiopia after a long year’s tradition of governance in the country (Terecha D. Feyissa, 2008).
centralized governments and governance structure; These challenges of good governance were lack of
decentralized forms of government and government adequate awareness about human right among the public,
structure has been adopted. Since 1991 Ethiopia has four the limited democratic culture and experience in the
tiers of government structures that is federal, regional, city country, limited participation of citizens in governance,
administration and kebele. This marked a dramatic change lack of adequate and appropriate policies and laws in some
in terms of the tradition of the country’s governance. The areas and capacity limitations of law enforcement and
governance of Ethiopia using its plan for accelerated and governance organs of the government (Shimelis A., 2005
sustainable development to End poverty (PASDEP) has and Fitsum W., 2016).
given emphasis to continue supporting the enhancement of
democratization and improved governance. It recognized According to the findings of Dickovich JT, and RiedlR B.
that democracy and good governance are necessary (2010), the capacity of local government in formulating
conditions for poverty reduction. To this end plan for policies, implementing strategies and development
accelerated and sustainable development to End poverty activities is an essential part of the governance structure at
(PASDEP) promotes a more conducive mechanism of local or regional level. Despite the fact that there is a clear
accountability, responsiveness and effectiveness of public capacity gap in running and managing different
institutions (Misgana W., 2013). responsibilities under the umbrella of decentralized
governance.
Ethiopia like any other African country has faced a
number of challenges in democratization and good By the same token Zemelak (2011), assess that “the most
governance building process. In order to address the serious bottle neck for Ethiopian local government is
identified gaps, the government of Ethiopia developed a capacity and local government of the country has a high
multi-sectarian national capacity building strategy which shortage of qualified man power”. Many were as have
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been witnessing a deficiency in achieving feasible local  To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of
development and delivering an efficient and effective municipality with regard to urban land
service for their grass root people and marginalized administration.
sections of the society (Zemelak M, 2011). Hawassa city  To identify the major challenges of good
administration municipality’s has been faced several good governance of the city administration
governance problems that emanate due to lack of municipality’s.
executives educational qualification, the improper
utilization of urban land, poor facilitates, Lack of
appropriate law implementation by the city municipality, METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY
the gap of capacity building and ill commitments are some
of the problems (Hawassa city administration Research design and Approach
municipality, 2011).
The study was employed across-sectional research design.
The design allowed data collection to be done at a single
Different studies have been conducted by different
point in time and is most appropriate for sample
researchers concerning good governance across different
descriptive interpretations as well as determination of
place and times. For instance Kumera K. (2011) &
relationships between and among variables. Concerning
Shimelis K.(2015) undertook a research on decentralized
the approach of the study, a mixed approach was
governance and service delivery and Meskerm also
employed. The qualitative approach was employed for the
undertook research on local governance at woreda level.
reason it is typically used to answer question about the
But both of them did not incorporate the key indicators of
complex nature of phenomenon, often with a purpose of
good governance. Tamiru also undertook a research on
describing and understanding the phenomenon from the
good governance but assessed only one indictors of good
participant’s point of view. On the other hand, to support
governance that is responsiveness. It is very difficult to
the qualitative approach, quantitative approach was to
measure the prevalence or absence of good governance
analyze responses from the close-ended questions from the
simply by taking one indictors of good governance. Beside
questionnaire.
the above mentioned problem, the practice and challenges
of good governance is not well researched by
Sampling Design and Procedure
incorporating the key indicators of good governance in the
selected study area (Hawassa city municipality, 2011).
In this study, the researchers employed both convenience
(Accidental) and purposive sampling to select town
Hence, this study tried to deal with practice and challenges
residents (ordinary individuals) and authorized persons
of good governance at Hawassa city administration
(service providers) respectively. The main reason for using
municipality in order to assess the entire above problem
of convenience sampling is because of the sampling
and fill the above gap. To deal with this study, we
procedure of obtaining the people or units are most
incorporated key indicators of good governance that are
conveniently available and the nature of the service user
transparency and accountability, inclusiveness and equity,
unavailability in fixed time and place. The office of land
efficiency and effectiveness, participation, and rule of law;
administration, infrastructure provision and administration
to assess the situation of good governance in the city
office, urban planning and development office manager’s
municipality with regard to land administration,
selected purposively because of the magnitude and
infrastructure provision administrative office, urban
importance of the response responded by the selected
planning and development.
institution’s manager and these public institution’s
provide services to a large number of users as well as they
Objective of the Study: This study has the following
would give their in-depth information and optimal insight
specific objectives:
into an issue.
 To examine the city municipality’s accountability,
transparency, inclusiveness and equity in
delivering services.
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Sample Size Determination of the Study concerned with the demographic information of
respondents. The second part contains questions related
Kothri (2004) defines sample as a collection of some parts with good governance which contains elements of good
of the population on the basis of which judgment is made. governance that extracted and adopted from Hawassa city
He stressed that a sample should be small enough to make municipality, urban land administration, infrastructural
collection convenient and should be large enough to be a provision administrative office, and urban planning and
true representative of the population which is selected. The development assessment framework. The semi structured
target populations of this study were authorizing persons interview was also employed for data collection because
(service providers) and town dwellers (service users) at of its cost effectiveness and its strength in capturing
Hawassa city municipality. To calculate, the sample size, empirical data in both formal and informal settings. This
different authors have chosen different formulas. For the was used to obtain detail information from the concerned
purpose of this study, the researchers used Godden’s office of land administration, infrastructure provision and
formula. According to Godden (2004), when the total administrative office, urban planning and development as
population is unknown the sample size determined as well as from the city municipal office manager’s. This
p[1  p]Z 2 helps to get different ideas and not to restrict the views of
follow: n Were n is sample size. P = is the participants for collection of the primary data from the
E2
selected sample respondents.
proportion of the dependent variable in the study area.
Since the proportion is not known, 0.5 will use as P value
to obtain maximum number of sample households. Z = is Method of Data Analysis
the number of standard error units that are found to be
corresponding to 95% confidence level, which is given to Kothari (2004) posits that data analysis is a systematic
be 1.96. E = is margin of error or limit of accuracy to be process involving working with the data, organizing and
tolerated which is taken to be 0.05. breaking them into manageable units, synthesizing them,
0.5[1  0.5]1.96 2 searching for patterns, discover what is important and
n what is to be learned and deciding what to tell others. In
(0.05) 2 = 384 addition, data analysis involves organizing what observed,
heard and read to make sense of the acquired knowledge.
Therefore, for this study, the researchers analyzed the data
Tools of Data Collection
based on the nature of the data. The data collected from
primary sources using a variety of methods and techniques
In conducting this study, the researchers used mainly two
were used to organized, coded, condensed, and analyzed
data gathering tools. These were questionnaire and
into sub sections based on their similarities. Qualitative
interview guide for the service user and service providers
data collected through interview was analyzed and
in the institution respectively.
interpreted in the form of narration together with the
A semi structured questionnaire that consisted of close responses of the questionnaire. The quantitative data was
ended questions like five point scale, yes or no and open analyzed, interpreted and presented by using descriptive
ended questions to measure the feelings and understanding statistical tools like Statistical Package for Social Sciences
were used to collect data from the selected sample (SPSS Version 20), tabulation, frequency, percentage
respondents. The questionnaires for the data collection mean and standard devotion.
method of this study consist of two parts. Part one is

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Accountability and Transparency of the City Municipality’s in Delivering Services

Table 1: Respondents View on Accountability and Transparency

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Response by category

Disagree
Strongly

Strongly

Std.Dev.
Item No.

disagree

Neutral

agree
Agree

Mean
Variables
1 The municipality has open and detail 107 143 50 55 29 2.3 1.
service 27.6% 37% 12.9% 14.2% 7.5% 2
2 There is an easy system to obtain 102 15 59 48 22 2.3 1.
information 26.4% 39.5% 15.2% 12.4% 5.7% 1

3 There is transparence in performing 107 155 78 30 14 2.1 1.

tasks 27.6% 40.1% 20.2% 7.8% 3.6% 0
4 There is a separate department 98 66 77 80 63 2.2 1.
responsible for the provision of 25.3% 17.1% 19.9% 20.7% 16.3 4
training on good governance. %
5 The institutional communicated us 132 138 58 34 23 2.1 1.
newly enacted laws, directives, 33.9% 35.7% 15% 8.8% 5.9% 1
charters, and codes
6 Whenever there are changes in service 110 161 77 24 12 2.1 1.
provision are, they timely inform us 28.4% 41.6% 19.9% 6.2% 3.1% 0

7 The institution has mechanism that 134 142 74 20 14 2.0 1.

enables us to questioning and 34.6% 36.7% 19.1% 5.2% 3.6% 0
controlling of them
Average mean 2.2
Source: Field survey (April, 2019)

As indicated in the above Table 4.2 on item 1 concerning As it can be seen in the same table on item 2, the majority
transparency and accountability, 64.6% with mean of 2.3 of the respondents were responded that, they disagree on
of the respondents were disagree in the statement of the the written statements under accountability and
municipality had open and detail service providing transparency in item 2. In specific terms, total of
delivery procedure, 21.7% of the respondents’ were 255(65.9%) of respondents were argued that, there was no
agreed, while 14.2% of respondents were undecided. an easy system to obtain information on laws and
Therefore, the above table result on item 1 indicated that, regulations of the institution. Therefore, based on the
the majority of the respondents were disagree in the above table result and taking the mean as a bench mark,
statement of open and detail service providing delivery the researchers concluded that, there was no an easy
procedures at Hawassa city municipality. Having the system to obtain information on laws and regulations of
above table results as a bench mark, the researchers the institutions. This revealed that, the institution was not
conclude that, there was no a clear procedure that guide transparent in the process of delivering services to their
the service providers in the institution. This revealed that clients.
the service providers are going on their own ways because
there was no open and detail service providing procedures 262(67.7%) respondents with mean of 2.1of the
in the institution. respondents were replied that, they disagree in the
statement of transparence in performing task related with
the organization. This result implied that, those the
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majority of the respondents were disagreed that, on the majority of the respondents were responded that, they
presence of transparency in performing task in the disagreed in the statement of the institution timely and
institution. Therefore, based on the above table result, the transparently informed them whenever changes in service
researchers reach on conclusion that, the institution was provision are made. Having the respondent’s response as
not transparent in performing their task because the way a bench mark the researchers conclude that, the institution
delivering service to their client was not open. As it is did not inform whenever changes in service provision are
depicted in the above Table 4.2 on item 4, 42.4% with made. This did not enable service users to adjust
mean of 2.2 of the respondents were disagreed on the themselves on time and create confusion.
presence of a separate department in the institution
responsible for provision of trainings on the reform issues Regarding the mechanism that enables to questioning and
including good governance, 37% of the respondents were controlling, it indicate that,71.3% with mean of 2.0 of the
agreed, while 19.9% of the respondents were undecided. respondents were disagreed in the statement of the
Therefore, as the above table result on item 4 show that, institution has mechanism that enables them to
the majority of the respondents were disagreed on the questioning and controlling of them,8.8% of the
presence of a separate department in the institution respondents were agreed while 19.1% of respondents were
responsible for the provision of trainings on the reform undecided on the issue. Overall, 71.3% of the respondents
issues including good governance. Having the disagreed in the statement of the institution had
respondent’s response as a bench mark, the researchers mechanism that enables them to questioning and
conclude that, the institution did not have a separate controlling of them.
department for the provision of training on the reform
issue including good governance. Because of this, the Concerning transparency and accountability, the above
service providers including the officials in the institution table results show that, the majority of the respondents
were not well aware on the key indicators of good confirmed that, there is no transparency and
governance. accountability. Because most of the sub indices of
accountability and transparency. Such as open and detail
Concerning the institution Communicated newly enacted service providing delivery, easy system to obtain
related laws, directives, charters, codes….to the information on laws and regulations of the institution,
community, as it can be observed from the above Table transparency in performing task related with the
4.2 on item 5, 69.6% with mean of 2.1of the respondents organization, the institution timely and transparently
were argued that, the institution did not develop the culture inform them whenever changes in service provision were
to communicate newly enacted related laws, directives, made, the institution has mechanism that enables them to
charters, code …… etc to the community .Therefore, questioning and controlling them were not implemented
based on the above table result, the researchers conclude well.
that, the institution did not communicated newly enacted
laws, directives, charters and code to the community In the support of this, Max Weber, cited by
before implementing it. This revealed that, the institution Jennefr.J(2008) government which
did not open their door to listen the view of other stake operates secrecy is more prone to
holders. Such kinds of things faces hindrance during the corruption as compared to governments
implementation of those enacted laws, directives, charters which operates in greater openness.
and code in the ground. Therefore, transparency is openness of
governmental functioning and regarded as
The findings in the table on item 6 show that, 271(70.2%) essential ingredient of democracy and the
with mean of 2.1 of the respondents were argued that, the right to information as fundamental right.
institution did not timely and transparently inform them Transparency and the right to information
whenever changes in service provision are made, tend to remove unnecessary secrecy
36(9.3%) of the respondents were argued while 19.9% of surrounding the decision making in public
the respondents were undecided on the issue. Overall, the policy administration.
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transparency were not exercise well in the institution. This

As it can be observed from above questionnaire results and revealed that, there was no transparency and
from the results of document analysis, the researchers accountability at Hawassa city municipality in delivering
concluded that, some of sub-indices of accountability and service.

Inclusiveness and Equity of the City Municipality in Delivering Service

Table 1: Inclusiveness and Equity of the City Municipality in Delivering Service.
Response by category
Item No.

Disagree

Std.Dev.
Strongly
Strongly
disagree

Neutral

Agree

agree

Mean
Variables
1 There is employees 64 91 92 78 59 2.9 1.4
impartiality on providing 16.5% 23.5 23.8 20.2 15.2%
service % % %
2 The institution provides 146 106 90 16 26 2.1 1.1
reasonable cost for services 37.7% 27.4 23.3 4.1% 6.7%
delivered % %
3 There is fair cost for delivered 59 61 56 127 81 3.2 1.3
service 15.2% 15.8 14.5 32.8 20.9%
% % %
4 The municipality office is 145 159 57 15 8 1.9 0.9
equally accept customers 37.5% 41.1 14.7 3.9% 2.1%
% %
Average Mean 2.5
Source: Field survey (April, 2019)

Concerning employee impartiality, the above Table 4.3 on items 1 indicates that, 40% of the respondents were disagreed in
the statement of the employees was impartial in providing services. 35.4% of the respondents were agreed while 23.8% of the
respondents were undecided on the issue. Therefore, the majority of the respondents replied that, there was no employee’s
impartiality on providing services. Having the above table result as a bench mark, the researchers conclude that, in providing
services the institution is partial. This revealed that, the employees in the institution did not see the service user equally as the
service users. In the same table on item 2 show that, 65.1% with mean of 2.1 of the respondents were disagreed in the statement
of the institution provide reasonable cost for service delivered,10.8% of the respondents were agreed while 23.8% of the
respondents were undecided on the issue. Therefore, the majority of the respondents were argued that, the institution did not
provide reasonable cost for service delivered. Concerning fair cost for delivered service, as it is depicted in the above Table
4.3 on item 3 show that, 31% of the respondents were disagreed on fair cost for delivered service, 53.7% of the respondents
were agreed and the remaining14.5% of the respondents were neutral. Therefore, as the above table on item 3 result show
that, the majority of the respondents were argued that, there was fair cost for delivered service. 78.6% with mean of 1.9 of the
respondents were disagreed in the statement of the municipal office is equally accept customers, 6% of the respondents were
agreeing and the remaining 14.7% of the respondents were neutral. Therefore, the majority of the respondents responded that,
the institution did not equally accept customers. This revealed that, in the institution, there was a clear discrimination in
accepting customers. In consistence with the above, Mulat(2014) a society’s well being and development depends up on
ensuring that all the members have a stake and the role in it and are not excluded from the mechanism activities. This means,

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society’s well-being depends on ensuring its entire member was not excluded from the mainstreaming of society. This requires
all groups particularly the most vulnerable groups have opportunity to improve their well-being.

Hence, the researchers concluded that, in delivering services at Hawassa city municipality, there was employee partiality on
providing service, the institution did not ask reasonable coast for service delivered and the institution did not equally accept
customers. This revealed that, the institution did not exercise the principles of good governance such as inclusiveness and
equity well.

Efficiency and Effectiveness of Urban Land Administration Official Performance

Table 2: Efficiency and Effectiveness of Urban Land Administration
Response by category
Item No.

Disagree

Std.Dev.
Strongly

Strongly
Variables

disagree

Neutral

Agree

agree

Mean
1 There is a bureaucratic delay and 72 35 37 87 153 3.6 1.5
much process in the service 18.6% 9% 9.6% 22.5% 39.6%

2 The institution provides a special 92 167 78 34 13 2.2 1.0

service delivery mechanism for 23.8% 43.2% 20.2% 8.8% 3.4%
women & the disadvantage group

3 There is high standard service 100 138 58 60(15. 27 2.4 1.2

delivery in the institution 25.8% 35.7% 15% 5%) 7%
4 There is complete availability of 103 146 65 49(12. 21 2.3 1.1
competent personnel 26.6% 37.7% 16.8% 7% 5.4%
5 There is accurate, integrated and 104 129 71 58 22 2.4 1.1
computerized land information 26.9% 33.3% 18.3% 15% 5.7%

6 There is fast and simple access of land 128 174 41 26 15 2.0 1.0
registration 33.1% 45% 10.6% 6.7% 3.9%
7 There is one-stop -shop service is 41 60 71 138(35 74(19. 3.4 1.2
available 10.6% 15.5% 18.3% .7%) 1%)
8 The institution provides the overall 84 151 76 58 14 2.6 1.2
service on time as per the service 21.7% 39% 19.6% 15% 3.6%
standard
Average Mean 2.6
Source: Field survey (April, 2019)
As it is clearly identified in the above Table 4.4 on item 1 institution. This reveals that, in the institution, there was
show that, 27.6% of the respondents were disagree in the bureaucratic delay or engaged a much process to get
statement of a bureaucratic delay and much process service from service providers. Good governance is a
whenever they are engaged in the institution,62.1% of the mechanism by which women, youth, minorities and
respondents were agree and the remaining 9.6% of the disadvantaged groups are treated in a special manner and
respondents were neutral. Overall, 62.1% of the given due emphasis. In the process of building good
respondents were argued that, there was a bureaucratic governance, giving a special attention to the already
delay and much process whenever they engaged in the mentioned parts of a society is mandatory and it is by what
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institutions did to them that the prevalence of good The findings on the above table show that, 78.1% with
governance is measured. But as shown in the table above, mean 2.0 of the respondents were disagreed in that
their responses were somewhat negative, that is to mean, statement of fast and simple access of land registration,
only 12.2% of them agree but the majority (67%) of the 10.6% of the respondents were agree, and the remaining
respondents were disagreed. Therefore, the above Table 10.6 % of the respondents were undecided on the issue.
on item 2 showed that, in the institutions under discussion Overall, 78.1 % of the respondents were argued that, there
were not totally effectively discharging their responsibility was no fast and simple access of land registration.
regarding treating women and disadvantage groups. Based As it is clearly identified in the above table 4.4 item 7
on the above table results, the researchers concluded that, shows that, 26.1% of respondents were in the statement of
in the institution, there was no a special attention for those one-shop-stop service is available, 54.8% of the
who need a special service provision. respondents were agree, and the remaining 18.3 % of the
respondents were neutral. Overall, 54.8% of the
As it can be observed from the Table 4.4 on item 3 show respondents were argued that, in the institution, there was
that, 61.5% with mean of 2.4 of the respondents were one-stop-shop service is available.
disagree in the statement of high standard service deliver The findings on the above table item 8 show that, 60.7%
in the institution,22.5% of the respondents were agree and of the respondents were disagree in the statement of the
the remaining 15% of the respondents were neutral. institution provides the overall service on time per the
Overall, 61.5% of the respondents were argued that, there service standards,18.6% of the respondents were agree
was no high standard service delivery in the institution. while 9.6% of the respondents were neutral. Therefore, as
Having the above table result as a bench mark, the the above table results show that, the majority of the
researchers conclude that, the institution did not delivered respondents implied that, the institution did not provides
service in accordance to standard service deliver. the overall service on time per the service standards. In the
support of this, urban land administration manager said
As it can be seen in the above Table 4.4 item 4 show that, that,
64.3% with mean of 2.3 of the respondents were disagreed
in the statement of complete availability of competent “There was a certain limitation in the
personnel, 18.1% the respondents were agree, and the implementation of effectiveness and
remaining 16.8 % of the respondents were neutral. efficiency, due to the impurity of the service
Overall, 64.3% of the respondents were arguing that, in the providers from bribery/ rent seeking. The
institution, there was no complete availability of other limitation was mostly linked with land
competent personnel. Therefore, from the above table related policy particularly with lease
results, the researchers concludes that, most of the service proclamation. According to him, Most of
providers under urban land administration had a capacity the customer’s did not pay well yearly land
gap in providing services to their clients. use tax because they believe that lease
The Table 4.4 on item 5 show that, 60.2% with mean of proclamation will change within a short
2.4 of respondents were disagree in the statement of period of time”(my own translation from
accurate, integrated and computerized land information , Amharic language).
20.7% of the respondents were agree and the remaining
18.3% of the respondents were neutral. Overall, 60.2 % of In consistence with the above, J.M.Lusugga
the respondents were argued that, there was no accurate, kironde.(2009) also forward as strengthening the
integrated and computerized land information in the views of interview discussion participants, “Land
institution. Based on the above table results, the problems are serious in urban areas. Good
researchers concludes that, due to lack of skilled human governance in land issues is a practical, technical
power and material resource, capacity building problems and political nature. This is for the reason that,
and earnings, lack of modernized documentation and right over land cannot be separated from civil,
recording system. In the institution, there was no accurate, political and human right, and is dependent on
integrated and computerized land information. political administrative and professional readiness
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to ensure fair administration and equal delivery, availability of competent personnel,

opportunities for all”. computerized land information and providing service on
time as per the service standards were not exercise well in
As it can be observed from the above table and interview the institution. This revealed that, urban land
results, the administration officials performance were not efficient
researchers concluded that, some of sub indices of and effective.
efficiency and effectiveness such as high standard service

The Extent of the Practice of Rule of Law in the City Municipality

Table 3: The Extent of the Practice of Rule of Law in the City Municipality.
Response by category
Item No.

Disagree

Std.Dev.
Strongly

Strongly
disagree

Neutral

Agree

agree

Mean
Variables
1 The institution makes decision and takes 71 26 77 135 75 3.3 1.3
actions in accordance with the law of the 18.3% 6.7% 19.9 34.9 19.4
country. % % %

2 There is a clear procedures/rules 83 118 62 93 28 2.1 1.2

21.4% 30.5% 16% 24% 7.1%

3 The institution oversees different 90 147 41 77 29 2.5 1.2

complaints daily 23.3% 38% 10.6 19.9 7.5%
% %
4 The institution is impartial in 79 161 38 77 29 2.5 1.2
implementing their task in accordance to 20.4% 41.6% 9.8% 19.9 7.5%
the law. %

5 The institution is independent from 102 158 65 43 16 2.3 1.0

political dependence to decide on 26.4% 40.8% 16.8 11.1 4.1%
different issues % %
Average mean 2.5

Source: Field survey (April, 2019)

As it is depicted in the above Table 4.6 , 25% of the 4.6 on item 2, 51.9% with mean of 2.1 of the respondents
respondents were disagreed in the statement of institution were disagreed in the statement of a clear
make a decision and take actions in accordance with the procedures/rules set up to execute different matters of the
law of the country, 54.3% of the respondents were agree, city’s municipality, 35.1% of the respondents were agree
while 19.9% of the respondents were neutral. Overall, 54.3 while 16 % of the respondents were neutral. Overall,
% of the respondents were agreed that, the institution make 51.9% of the respondents were argued that, there was not
decision and take actions in accordance with the law of the a clear procedures/rules set up to execute different matters
country. Having the above table as a bench mark, the of the city’s municipality. Therefore, based on the above
researchers concluded that, the institution make and take table result, the researchers conclude that, the institution
action in accordance with the rule of law. In the same table

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did not has a clear procedural set up to execute different  The finding show that, the administrative officials
matters of the city municipality. under Hawassa city municipality were less
accountable and transparence to their clients in the
As it is clearly identified in the above table 4.6 on item 3, process of service provision.
61.8% of the respondents were disagreed in the statement  The study also reveals that, the administrative
of institution oversees different complaints daily to avoid officials under Hawassa city municipality
prevalence of illegal activates in the institution among particularly urban land administration was not
service providers, 27.1% of respondents were agree and effective and efficient in some sub-indices such as in
the remaining 10.6 % of the respondents were undecided providing a special service delivery mechanism for
on the above issue. Overall, 61.8% of the respondents were women and the disadvantage group, accurate,
argued that, the institution did not oversee different integrated and computerized land information as
complaints daily to avoid prevalence of illegal activities in well as fast and simple access of land registration.
the institution among service providers. On item 4 show  There was no employee impartiality on providing
that, 62% of the respondents were disagreed in the service; the institution did not accept the customers
statement of the institution was impartial in implementing equally; there was a bureaucratic delay and much
their task in accordance to the law, 27.4% of the process in getting service. There was no public
respondents were agree and the remaining 9.8% of the forum prepared to discuss about the urban planning
respondents were neutral. Overall, 62% of the respondents and development and there was no mechanisms of
were argued that, the institution was not impartial in customers’ consultation for the implementation of
implementing their task in accordance to the law. As it can police and program as well as the governance at
be observed from the above Table 4.6, 67.2% with mean Hawassa city municipality.
of 2.3 of the respondents were disagreed in the statement
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