Full report LR.pdf - DLIST Benguela

NACOMA Project – Preparation PhaseAnalysis of the Institutional Capacity in the Namib Coast Regional CouncilsThe decentralisation process is characterised by two phases, namely delegation anddevolution. Delegation entails the decentralisation of a function from a line ministry toenable and empower Regional Councils or local authorities to perform the function as anagent on behalf of the line ministry while devolution, in turn, provides regional and localauthorities full administrative decision-making and budgeting and planning powers.Devolution normally remains the ultimate goal of decentralisation processes. The policyof decentralisation in the context of Namibia is aimed at devolution but within theframework of a unitary state. 4 However, neither delegation nor devolution has yet takenplace up to date, although the decentralisation process is on the brink of entering thedelegation phase. 5 The first ministries to delegate are expected to do so during the nextfinancial year. It is likely that the Ministry of Basic Education, Sport and Culture(MBESC), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), Ministry of Women Affairs,and Child Welfare (MWACW) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and RuralDevelopment (MAWRD) will be among them.The Namibian decentralisation process provides for delegation and devolution in thefollowing spheres 6 : (a) political, (b) financial, (c) administrative, (d) changed centrallocalrelations, and (e) functional. These elements, thus, form an integral part of theDecentralisation Policy.3. BRIEF REVIEW OF THE DECENTRALISATION PROCESS THUS FARGiven the relatively “young” status of decentralisation, it is difficult to make a thoroughassessment of the process as many tangible results may still be obscured because theyare, silently or behind the scenes, in progress. However, considering the close linkbetween NACOMA and decentralisation such an assessment is necessary, not only interms of how decentralisation can aid progress in terms of sustainable coastaldevelopment but what dangers and obstacles may stand in the way of NACOMAachieving its results within the determined timeframe of the project.Countries in Southern Africa have experienced considerable political and economicliberalisation that has resulted in a push to change the role and instruments of nationaldevelopment planning systems in these countries”. 7 In response to these trends, mostgovernments vigorously pursued strategies to facilitate the transfer of specified authority,responsibility and resources from central government level to regional and local authoritylevels. In Namibia, this trend became increasingly conspicuous as a result of centralgovernment’s drive towards the promotion of participatory democracy and socioeconomicdevelopment in the Namibian society. This trend, which became officially4 MINISTRY of Regional and Local Government and Housing, 1998. Decentralisation in Namibia: ThePolicy, Its Development and Implementation.5 This is dependent on Cabinet’s approval of the MRLGH’s Decentralisation Implementation Plan.6 MRLGH, 2004. Draft Decentralisation Implementation Plan.7 Haddingham, T.J., Paige, M.A., and Smith, G.N., 2002. A Comparative Review of the Role ofDevelopment Plans as Tools to Support Decentralisation in Six Southern African Countries.7