Vanuatu Review of National Land Legislation, Policy and ... - AusAID

Attachment 7Decentralisation is the transfer of administrative services and functions to lowergovernment levels including the full authority and related responsibilities forprovincial policy, planning, implementation and funding. However, decentralisedgovernment agency policies in all cases must reflect central policy. Decentralisationdoes not imply independence; but it does provide a high level of autonomy to actwithin clearly identified boundaries.It is not just a matter of implementing a decentralisation policy because it isgovernment policy. There are a number of issues that need to be addressed if it is towork and these include the availability of trained human resources to provide thedecentralised services and the type of decentralisation model to be adopted.There are four main types of decentralization: 8Devolution;Semi-autonomy;Deconcentration; and,Divestment.The effects of decentralisation depend very much on what kind of decentralisation ischosen. In the case of the DOLSR it may be more relevant to look atdeconcentration which involves limited delegation of authorities and responsibilitiesthat are for specific decision-making about financial and management functions.Deconcentration is suitable for sub-ordinate lower-level agencies or sub-agencies.These might include provincial or district offices of central government agencies orservice delivery institutions. These agencies have authority delegated throughcentral policy. Financial and administrative actions occur without significantindependent local involvement.If we look at the DOLSR, it is noted that; (i) there are a large number of vacantpositions; (ii) the capacity of the current staff to support the land administration isgenerally low; (iii) there is a lack of clear procedures in many areas; (iv) theorganisation structure is weak; (v) linkages and responsibilities between agenciesare weak or non-existent; and (vi) technological development throughout theorganisation is generally low. Each of these issues creates an impediment todecentralisation and the aggregation of all the issues makes decentralisation adifficult and very risky proposition at this point in time.A decentralisation policy is worth implementing but it is important that the centralagencies are operating effectively before decentralisation is commenced. Anydeficiencies at central level will be magnified at provincial level and could well resultin poor land administration services being provided in preference to an improvedservice which is what is desired. Therefore it is strongly recommended thatmanagement, institutional and operational issues be addressed at central levelbefore any serious decentralisation policies are implemented.8 Cheema G. S. and Collins, K. Undated. Feature Article: Building Substantive Capacity in Governance and Public Sector Management. UNDP.UNDP . 1997 .Decentralised Governance Programme: Strengthening Capacity for People-Centred Development. Management Development andGovernance Division, Bureau for Development Policy.