Local Government Authorities Research Articles

Interrogating the practice of integrity in Tanzania public service

PurposeDeterioration of integrity is featured in public service across the globe, including Tanzania. Local government authorities (LGAs) are among the areas where such practices have been reported. However, factors compromising integrity in LGAs receives less attention from the literature. Citing 19 LGAs from Tanzania, this study aims to examine contributes to this debate.Design/methodology/approachA sequential explanatory research design was applied. Data were collected from 54 respondents through survey questionnaires, interviews and a documentary review. The study was guided by Hoekstra theoretical framework for assessing integrity practices in LGAs.FindingsThe findings revealed that maintaining integrity in Tanzania's LGAs is still challenging. Poor institutionalization processes, institutional unpreparedness, insufficient integrity policy execution and being less informed of moral development of recruited public servants are said to compromise integrity in Tanzania LGAs. This qualifies to conclude that institutional pathologies and moral history of public servants are the major factors contributing to integrity deterioration in Tanzania LGAs. This has resulted in subpar service delivery and the waste of public funds.Research limitations/implicationsThis study confined itself to Tanzania LGAs. More studies could be conducted to LGAs in other countries struggling with the same problem. On the same ground, moral development should be studied more to ensure that the public service receives ethical public servants in the future.Practical implicationsThe theoretical framework for assessing integrity systems in LGAs as proposed by Hoekstra (2022) could be applied by other countries struggling with the same challenge.Originality/valueLGAs must implement an integrity-based self-reflection technique that will allow them to assess their current condition and come up with solutions. Furthermore, institutional policies must be strengthened to govern ethical behavior in LGAs.

Improvement of the Efficiency of Urban Management within the Concepts of Smart City and Sustainable Development (As Exemplified by Cities in Kazakhstan)

The idea of urban development corresponds to the concept of a smart city and is based on resource savings or more favorable benefit-cost ratios in the long term using a systematic approach to solving a specific problem. In addition, it is necessary to address such challenges in the interests of all city residents with due regard to the possibilities and level of management efficiency. The study aims to identify opportunities for improving the efficiency of managing an urban resource potential within the concept of a smart city. The article considers various approaches to the concept of smart city. In particular, it presents the 4T concept of urban resources based on the relationship between the development of a smart city and its resource potential. Based on the analysis of five large cities in the Republic of Kazakhstan, reporting and strategic documents of local government authorities, a survey of their residents, and targeted interviews with local government employees, the authors of the article have studied their perception of innovations, expectations from their implementation, and manifestations of smart management in these local government bodies. This allowed the authors to evaluate the results obtained within the concept of a smart city and the 4T resource potential.

Kewenangan Pemerintah Daerah Dalam Pengelolaan Wilayah Pesisir dan Pulau-Pulau Kecil

Introduction: The regional authority to manage the resources of coastal areas of the sea and small islands as far as 12 miles for the province based on Law No. 9 of 2015 concerning the Second Amendment to Law No. 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government causes horizontal conflicts of sea plots in the society. Not only conflicts between government institutions (sectoral conflicts) but also related to regional authorities in managing coastal marine resources and small islands.
 Purposes of the Research: To analyze various provisions of laws and regulations governing the authority of local governments in the management of coastal areas and small islands, as well as the role of local governments in the management of coastal areas and small islands.
 Methods of the Research: The type of research used is normative legal research that studies how legal norms are. The data collection method uses the library research. This study used secondary data obtained from various literature and regulations.
 Results of the Research: The results showed that since the enactment of Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government, the authority to manage marine waters by the Regency / City Government has decreased. The zoning area as far as 0-4 miles which was originally managed by the Regency / City Government is now managed by the Provincial Government so as to make the zoning of the Provincial authority 0-12 miles. While the authority to manage sea areas more than 12 miles is carried out by the Central Government. In addition, the authority of Regional Governments in the management of coastal areas is also regulated in Law No. 1 of 2014 concerning amendments to Law No. 27 of 2007 concerning Management of Coastal Areas and Small Islands, Article 1 and Article 63 of Regional Governments organize government according to the principle of autonomy, which is a division of elective concurrent government affairs, where Regional Governments play an important role in community empowerment.

Conflicts Among Councillors in the Local Government Authorities: A Tale of Msalala District Council

This paper focused on conflicts among councillors in Tanzania's Local Government Authorities, where qualitative approaches were employed in data collection and analysis. The study focused on understanding the causes and effects of conflicts in the Local Government Authorities where Msalala District Council in Shinyanga Region was used as a case study. A sample of 22 participants was interviewed through mobile calls. Various local government documents, including the minutes of meetings and reports, were reviewed. The study found three types of conflicts at Msalala District Council. The conflict between the elected councillors themselves, conflicts between the District Council Chairperson and other councillors and conflicts between elected (Ward) councillors and special seat councillors. It was further found that the conflicts were contributed by the low level of education among councillors, personal interest and selfishness, poor communication, conflicting roles and unequal distribution of resources. The study found that the conflicts among the councillors affected the implementation of projects in the council, reduced the morale of the special seat councillors and increased unnecessary costs to the council. Different mechanisms have been adopted to resolve conflicts, like collective bargaining and cooperativeness, which are emphasized for the growth of local government authorities, and this reduces the rate of biased decisions. This study recommends training for councillors immediately after being elected to provide awareness of their roles and duties in the local government authority. Keywords: Councillors conflicts, Causes of conflicts, Conflicts in the council, Councillors’ role

The Effect of Revenue Collection Outsourcing Approach on Improving Murram Levy in Local Government Authorities in Tanzania

The study assessed the effect of revenue collection outsourcing approach on improving Murram levy in local government authorities in Tanzania. The study was conducted using explanatory design since knowledge generation was facilitated through causality testing approach with three predicting variables identified for testing. They include delays in agents’ payment, tax framework and the compliance by taxpayers which were tested on revenue collections as the dependent variable. Facts on the study were obtained in Dar es Salaam city since it is the area where Murram levy is obtained at higher rate and pace than other regions specifically in Temeke Municipality as the selected case as the local government authority. Primary data were used in facilitating knowledge gathering process with facts being collected using structured questionnaires from the sample of 50 participants as employees of the local government authority (LGA). The collected results were computed in SPSS software version 23 to obtain statistics to present the results. Multiple regression analysis was used to describe the results as the outcome on the relationship between study variables. Findings revealed that all three predicting variables namely delays in agent payment, tax framework and compliance were positive and significant statistically towards revenue collections. The implication is that revenue collections through outsourcing in Murram levy in local government authorities (LGAs) is affected with delays in agent payment, compliance and tax framework. It is therefore recommended that the authority should be keen to avoid delays and assure the framework is certain to assure compliance.

Right to Fair Hearing in Employment Disciplinary Proceedings Related to Misconduct in Tanzania

Introduction: The right to fair hearing is one of the principles of natural justice that is constitutionally provided for in Tanzania. Number of principal and subsidiary legislations have been enacted to promote the right to fair hearing in employment proceedings. Despite the legal protection, disciplinary proceedings related to misconduct have been persistently decided without affording the accused the right to a fair hearing.Purposes of the Research: The study aimed at examining the gap that exists between the law protecting the right to fair hearing and the actual practice in organisations.Methods of the Research: The study made use of library and field research. Data was collected by using documentary review to collect data from legal documents and published material. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 14 respondents obtained from one of local government authorities in Tanzania.Results of the Research: The study found that existing law have established standards that are capable of promoting the right to fair hearing in disciplinary proceedings. Further, the study observed that there is a gap between law and practice when it comes to promoting the right to fair hearing in disciplinary proceedings related to misconduct. The gap has to do with failure to adequately comply with procedural fairness during hearing. As per the reviewed literature this is the first study to examine the gap between law and practice relating the right to fair hearing with focus on disciplinary proceedings related to misconduct.

Omnibus Law on Job Creation: Tug of War over Environmental Protection Authority Amid the Climate Crisis

This article analyses the relationship between national and local governments regarding environmental protection amid the climate crisis after the Omnibus Law on Job Creation issuance. It is a normative study of legal concepts in the statutory system. The results point out that Omnibus Law on Job Creation has changed the paradigm of environmental protection from “permission” to “consent” or “agreement.” The policy weakened the local government’s role in protecting the environment amidst the climate crisis. Apart from that, the Omnibus Law has also created a pattern of centralization by reducing the authority of local governments—which is only interpreted as a deconcentrated primate in implementing the law provisions.

Safety Needs Management for People with Disabilities in Contemporary Cities

Abstract Adapting city space to the needs of disabled people is an increasingly important area of activities of local government authorities. Well-thought-out architecture of buildings, road construction and adaptation of broadly understood urban transport ensure free use of city life for all users. The aim of this study is to analyze chosen urban planning solutions tailored to the needs of disabled people. Research methods of this paper are problem-oriented theoretical studies, case studies.

Scaling-up Activities to Mitigate Against the Spread of the COVID-19 Virus: Appreciating the Role of Local Government Authorities in the Caribbean

In January 2020, several governments in the English-speaking Caribbean not only started sensitizing their populations about the novel coronavirus but triggered various public health provisions that would allow the state to better manage the disease once it arrives within the respective countries. With the confirmation of the first cases, some national governmental systems were primed to act. Central governments across the region announced various policies and strategies, such as the closing of borders and schools as well as lockdowns as was necessary to mitigate the spread of the virus. But whilst attention was focused on what the central government was doing, very little attention was paid to local government activities that supported the central government’s policies. Local governments scaled-up the policies as enunciated by the central government, to ensure a wider geographical reach as well as a more intensive implementation process. Scaling-up also allowed for some expansion beyond the national policies to effect a program to mitigate the spread of the virus. Using examples from across the region, the article appraises the role of local governments in the quest to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

Challenges and Stakeholders' Views on Achievements of Multi-Sectoral Governance in Improving Child Nutrition in Buhigwe District, Tanzania.

In recent years, Tanzania has made good progress in addressing the problem of chronic malnutrition in children, but the levels are still unsatisfactory, at almost three in ten of its children are stunted. The government of Tanzania has taken significant measures to establish and strengthen multi-sectoral governance as part of national efforts to reduce the unacceptably high level of malnutrition. However, few studies have qualitatively documented stakeholder's perspectives at sub-national and community level with regards to performance of multi-sectoral governance in improving nutrition status of children in Tanzania. This study aimed to explore the achievements, facilitating factors and challenges of multi-sectoral governance in improving child nutrition in Buhigwe District Council. This was cross-sectional study, which employed qualitative method of data collection whereby semi-structured interviews were used to conduct in-depth interviews with members of the multisectoral steering committee for nutrition in Buhigwe Council and parents/caregivers of under-five children. There is significant improvement in allocating funds for multisectoral governance interventions targeting under five children across sectors, improved inter-sectoral coordination and increased knowledge on feeding practices among parents/caregivers. Strong leadership and political commitment, inter-sectoral linkage and Presence of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) supporting nutrition were identified as factors for improving child nutrition in the context of multisectoral governance. The issue of insufficient funding, inadequate spending of allocated funds, inadequate capacity, lack of cross-sectional financial mechanism and tools to collect nutrition information were raised by stakeholders as factors hindering the implementation of multi-sectoral governance in improving child nutrition. Smooth implementation of multi-sectoral interventions targeting under-five children requires strong multi-sectoral governance, which is supported by adequate spending of the allocated funds, strong leadership and political commitment, presence of NGOs supporting nutrition and inter-sectoral linkage among line sectors. However, key stakeholders including central and local government authorities should address the challenge of insufficient funds, inadequate capacity, lack of cross-sectoral co-financing mechanism and tools to collect nutrition information, which were reported as barriers to the implementation of multi-sectoral governance in improving child nutrition.

When should DIY have a localized healthcare waste management system?

Purpose: The 2018 healthcare waste management crisis catalyzed a critical review of the concerns expressed by the Health Office (dinkes) and healthcare facilities regarding healthcare waste management in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). Due to this crisis, the Ministry of Health hired Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) to look into potential solutions and promote DIY government policy responses. This paper examines the management strategy during crisis times and possible alternative solutions.
 Methods: This paper uses focused group discussions reports involving separate groups of (1) environmental health officials from community health centers, (2) hospitals, (3) environment health officials of district health authorities, and (4) cross-sectoral province officials in the Yogyakarta Special Region. It is part of a project 'A case study of strengthening regional-based medical waste management model', fund from the Environmental Health Directorate, Directorate General of Public Health, Ministry of Health (Project KN 01.03/6.1/0198/2019).
 Result: A simulation of policy options based on health facility managers suggests that a province-based system is the most profitable in the long term for DIY, with several possible options. The national policy roadmap was considered inadequate to respond to DIY's urgent local needs. Furthermore, the series of meetings succeeded in forming an informal forum between health facilities, provincial health offices, and associations of hospital environmental sanitation experts, monitoring medical waste management.
 Conclusion: The 2018 medical waste management crisis led to the formulation of policy response choices tailored to the capacity of DIY. These choices considered the expenditures and legal sanctions faced by healthcare facilities and the economic value of a region-based waste system for local government authorities. This comprehensive approach highlights the importance of local capacity. It needs to shape effective and sustainable medical waste management policies, underscoring the necessity of region-specific strategies in the face of national health crises.

Examining the Influence of E-Payment System on LGAs’ Public Procurement Performance: A Case of Kasulu District Council, Kigoma Tanzania

Purpose: The study was conducted to examine the influence of e-Payment system on the performance of public procurement of Kasulu District.
 Methodology: The study employed a positivism philosophy and implemented a cross-sectional research design to answer research objectives. Data were collected from employees of Kasulu district council and suppliers that located in Kasulu district, Data were collected from 395 responded to questionnaires. Simple random sampling technique used to select sample. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 27; where Bivariate Regression analysis, descriptive analysis were conducted to answer the research objectives.
 Findings: The study revealed that the e-Payment System significantly and positively impacts public procurement performance. An increase in the execution of e-Payment System elements leads to improvements in various procurement aspects, including timely allocation of resources, increased value for money, better service quality, reduced user complaints, and improved communication.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study concluded by highlighting the importance of investing in and leveraging e-Payment Systems to optimize public procurement outcomes. The study recommended that the government prioritize and facilitate an enhanced technological environment to improve the effectiveness of public procurement within Local Government Authorities (LGAs).

Business leaders’ perceptions of how workplace charters can reduce health inequalities for employees in West Yorkshire, England: a qualitative study

BackgroundWorkplace interventions to increase the number of good quality jobs can help reduce widening health inequalities in England and are an important area for public health research. Over the past decade, workplace charters led by local and regional government authorities have become increasingly popular. Charters typically include commitments on workplace practices—such as job security, pay, wellbeing, and employee voice—and an assessment and award process. Still, there is limited knowledge on how this intervention works. We aimed to understand the views of business leaders on how workplace charters can reduce health inequalities for employees. MethodsIn this qualitative study, 12 business leaders in West Yorkshire were purposively recruited (seven [58%] female, and five [42%] male) through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, covering different business sizes and sectors. Business leaders were recruited, as key stakeholders who decide whether to engage with charters. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between Aug 3, and Sept 7, 2022. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to identify perceived charter mechanisms to reduce health inequalities, alongside emergent barriers to charter implementation. Ethics approval was granted by the University of Sheffield Research Ethics Committee. Participants gave written informed consent. FindingsBusiness leaders perceived multiple charter mechanisms to reduce health inequalities: the charter to benchmark workplace practices, facilitate a business community, act as a credible badge for fair employers, and open a dialogue with partners. Three key emergent barriers to charter implementation were also identified, including different perceptions of fair work among business leaders, concern about significant charter demands for smaller businesses, and perceived external constraints from the political, social, and economic environment. InterpretationBusiness leaders’ views affirmed that workplace charters are collectively perceived as a potential tool to address differential workplace practices and reduce health inequalities. However, due to substantial barriers identified, this study suggested that workplace charters could also exclude particular organisations and generate health inequalities. Charter providers must reconcile the tension between the collective aspiration, and practical reality of workplace charters. If reconciled, workplace charters could potentially be a timely and meaningful intervention to help reduce health inequalities in England. FundingNone.

To Examine the Underpinning Factors Responsible for Child Streetism in Dar Es Salaam and Dodoma Cities, Tanzania

Purpose: This paper examines the underpinning factors responsible for child streetism in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma cities, Tanzania.
 Methodology: The study employed a qualitative method. Instruments for data collection included participants’ interviews, key informant interviews, and document review. The adopted research paradigm was the interpretivism research paradigm. This paradigm was chosen on the basis that the study wanted to have in-depth information on the influence of income poverty and family development on child streetism adopting the qualitative nature of the research. The adopted research approach was the inductive research approach because of the qualitative nature of the study. The population consisted of street children living on the streets of Dodoma and Dar es Salaam cities in Tanzania while the study sample size included 38 street children and 18 key informants.
 Findings: The findings revealed that income, poverty, and Lack of family capacity to meet children’s basic needs such as food, shelter, clothes, education, and health needs were the main causes of child streetism. The study findings are also supported by the vulnerability theory. The theory shows how vulnerable environments including poverty may lead to certain social consequences. According to this theory, children’s vulnerability is explained in different ways including being victims of hunger and homelessness, which is considered an identity of a vulnerable population.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Vulnerability theory recognizes that the human experience of constant vulnerability varies as a result of stages in the life course, social institutions, and law, which often trace intersecting forms of oppression on the basis of race, gender, sexuality, disability, and class. Vulnerability thus provides a heuristic device for exposing the structural privilege and disadvantage enveloped in these relationships and suggests ways to readjust them in order to advance social justice and lessen inequality. It is recommended that the Regional Administrations and Local Government Authorities in collaboration with other stakeholders establish a special campaign to enroll street children into the education system and facilitate family reunification

Are Most Polluted Regions Most Active in Energy Transition Processes? A Case Study of Polish Regions Acquiring EU Funds for Local Investments in Renewable Energy Sources

The primary aim of this study was to assess the investment activity of basic local government units in the development of renewable energy sources co-financed by EU funds depending on CO2 emissions and other socio-economic conditions in terms of regions of Poland in the years 2007–2020. Empirical studies aimed at the verification of the research hypothesis that “the greatest investment activity in local projects co-financed from EU funds related to the development of renewable energy sources is observed for local government units in regions with highest CO2 emissions”. Empirical studies were conducted based on data from the Ministry of Investment and Economic Development in Poland, the Local Data Bank, and the National Centre for Emissions Management. Thus, the conducted analyses provide both cognitive and applicatory values for the establishment of an appropriate energy transition policy in individual regions of Poland, which may be implemented by local government authorities within the current financial framework. Data concerning CO2 emissions at the regional level were estimated by applying the original disaggregation method as modified by the authors, which made it possible to fill the research gap resulting from the lack of data on emissions at the regional level. In order to show the regional diversification in investment activity of local government units in terms of renewable energy sources, its multi-faceted analysis was conducted by applying the Ward method. Clusters of regions with similar investment activity of local government units were described based on characteristics included in the typological classification (so-called active characteristics) and selected indexes showing CO2 emission levels, as well as selected socio-economic indexes (so-called passive characteristics). Based on the empirical studies, the research hypothesis presented in this paper was negatively verified. Considering both multiannual financial frameworks, the EU financial support for the development of renewable energy sources was used primarily by local government units of a predominantly agricultural character, and less advanced in terms of their development but exhibiting conditions conducive to renewable energy development.

Understanding human-wildlife conflict in Nepal and its mitigating measures

Abstract Human-wildlife conflict has emerged as a nexus of diverse factors. Although the conservation plans have successfully increased the density of wildlife, such as tigers and rhinos in Nepal, the human-wildlife conflict remained inevitable. This article reviews several articles based on the status and patterns of human-wildlife conflict in Nepal and its mitigating measures. The human population is steadily increasing, as is the desire for infrastructure, resulting in the deterioration and loss of wildlife habitats such as forests. These processes have increased wildlife competition for food and territory, shifting their habitats towards the farmlands and human settlements. Likewise, climate change has increased wildlife’s environmental, physiological, and hormonal stress, causing them to become more aggressive and threatening human-wildlife harmony. In this scenario, the actions on biodiversity conservation would reach the climax only if the necessary approaches are sought to manage the conflicts. An appropriate relocation approach with post-monitoring and health surveillance in wildlife-friendly landscapes could control human-wildlife conflicts with the support of the local communities and relevant governmental and non-governmental authorities. Likewise, transboundary coordination with neighboring countries, cooperation among all related stakeholders, and transparent science-based conservation management can help reduce human-wildlife conflict.

Constructing Ukraine’s public space through preserving the memory of the fallen in the Russian-Ukrainian war

Russian aggression, which has been ongoing since 2014, has led to the deaths of both military and civilian citizens of Ukraine. For this reason, the perpetuation of the memory about the fallen in the Russian-Ukrainian war at the present stage of historical development is an important tool for shaping the future generations’ historical memory. The purpose of the study was to provide a comprehensive and holistic analysis of the peculiarities of constructing Ukraine’s public space by preserving the memory of the fallen in the Russian-Ukrainian war. The research was conducted on the basis of a wide range of general scientific (analysis, synthesis, objectivity) and special methods that allowed to analyse the policy and practices of commemorating the memory of the fallen during the Russian-Ukrainian war. The research results indicated that in the period from 2014-2021, the public space was dominated mainly by the practices of commemorating military personnel and individual cases of civilians. It is noted that a significant number of memorial sites after the large-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia were occupied or in the combat zone, and therefore are probably destroyed and will no longer perform its main function of preserving the memory of the Russian-Ukrainian war. After the large-scale Russian invasion, there is a certain spontaneity in the commemoration of the fallen soldiers and civilians in the Russian-Ukrainian war, especially in the public space. It had been found that the public space practically does not reflect the genocidal dimension of the war, associated with massive Russian missile attacks on civilians, as well as the ways of commemorating the tortured Ukrainian citizens in the discovered torture chambers in the de-occupied territories. The research results are applied in nature, as they can be used by central and local government authorities to make adjustments to the current memory policy and launch a new series of fundamental researches related to the development of a new concept for perpetuating the memory of victims of the genocidal Russian-Ukrainian war

The Role of Computer Literacy Familiarity in the Adoption of e-Government by Public Sector Workers in Local Government Authorities: A Case of Kigamboni Municipal Council

Public sector workplaces, including local government authorities, have adopted e-Government in recent years to improve service delivery, enhance transparency, and foster citizen engagement. The objective of this research is to examine the impact of computer literacy on e-Government adoption in local government authorities in Tanzania with the focus being on the Kigamboni Municipal Council. A study is conducted to examine how computer literacy familiarity among public sector workers in local government authorities influences the adoption of e-Government. The study adopted the mixed method approach which involves both quantitative and qualitative data. The data was thus collected using interviews and questionnaires with the target population being employees at Kigamboni Municipal Council. Data was analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. It is established in the research that the level of computer literacy and familiarity with technology among public sector workers plays a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of e-Government implementation. Inferential analysis showed that computer literacy drives e-government adoption. Computer literacy's impact on e-government adoption has a mean of 3.27 and a standard deviation of 1.26. E-government usage is similarly affected by computer proficiency, with a mean of 4.5 and SD of 1.40. Computer training is also essential for e-government adoption (Mean; 3.8 SD; 1.34). Computer literacy is both a crucial factor in e-government adoption and a key obstacle at Kigamboni Municipal Council (Mean; 3.1 and SD 1.41). This finding indicates that it would be advantageous for the government to continue implementing training programs with the goal of improving the skills of a majority of participants in utilizing e-Government platforms. The efficacy of e-Government implementation is heavily influenced by the extent of computer literacy and technological proficiency exhibited by public sector employees. The research findings also suggest that the degree of computer literacy possessed by an individual plays a crucial role in determining their proficiency in utilizing e-Government platforms and services. This proficiency encompasses various activities, including conducting transactions, using systems and accessing information via websites and portals. This finding suggests that there are potential benefits for the government in maintaining the implementation of training programs aimed at enhancing the proficiency of a majority of participants in utilizing e-government platforms.

Perception of Quality Service Provision in Local Government Authorities in Tanzania: A Citizen Participation Perspective

Citizen participation is regarded as a process which provides private individuals an opportunity to influence public decisions and has long been a component of the democratic decision making process. The study sought to resolve the puzzle of citizen participation in Tanzania by attempting to decipher why public participation is said to be ample but the quality of health and education services provided is still perceived questionable. The study is conducted within the theoretical lens of the decentralization by devolution model and Stigler’s theory to come up with a more refined approach which envisages that increasing the number of actors in governance may probably help to resolve why decentralization by devolution does not necessarily lead to quality service delivery. The study is basically based on qualitative research design with the aim of seeking to get a deeper information regarding the issue in the two areas under study. The major findings of this study is that in instances where citizens effectively participated there were positive results but in most cases where citizens were not given chance to meaningfully participate dissatisfaction with the kind of social services provided by the government was high. Thus, strengthening local participation is an indispensable ingredient for successful provision of quality services to the citizens. The findings from this article make a valuable contribution towards understanding public participation strategies in both rural and urban areas so as to promote joint decision-making to provide effective and efficient service delivery. Consequently, recommendations are proposed to enhance quality social service provision through effective community engagement.

THE INFLUENCE OF E-ORDERING SYSTEM ON LGASPUBLIC PROCUREMENT PERFORMANCE: A CASE OF KASULU DISTRICT COUNCIL, KIGOMA TANZANIA

The study was conducted to determine the influence of e-Ordering system on the performance of public procurement of Kasulu District. The study employed a positivism philosophy and implemented a cross-sectional research design to answer research objectives. Data were collected from employees of Kasulu district council and suppliers that located in Kasulu district, Data were collected from 395 responded to questionnaires. Simple random sampling technique used to select sample. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 27 where Bivariate Regression analysis using Chi-Square test, descriptive analysis were conducted to answer the research objectives. The study found that the e-Ordering System has a statistically significant and positive impact on public procurement performance in local government authorities (LGAs). Specifically, implementing e-Ordering System leads to improvements in timely allocation of goods and resources, increased value for money, better quality of services, reduced user complaints, and improved communication results. The study recommends that the government should create a conducive technological environment to encourage innovative investments in e-Procurement technology by LGAs, as effective technology plays a crucial role in enhancing public procurement performance in these areas.