© 2010 German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)

Efficient Service Provision at Local Government Level

in Zambia in Health, Education and RoadsImplications and Challenges for Decentralisation in Zambia

German Development Institute (DIE)

in cooperation with the Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ)

Lusaka, 28 April 2010

2© 2010 German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)

Outline

1. Introduction

2. Context

3. Research Aim

4. Conceptual Approach

5. Main Findings

5.1 Roads

5.2 Health

5.3 Education

6. Introduction to Sector Working Groups

3© 2010 German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)

1. Introduction

The German Development Institute (DIE)

DIE is a multidisciplinary research, advisory and training institute for Germany‘s bilateral and multilateral development cooperation

On the basis of independent research, DIE acts as an advisor to public institutions in Germany and abroad on current issues of development and cooperation between developed and developing countries

4© 2010 German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)

2. Context

5© 2010 German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)

3. Research Aim

Aim of this research:

1. Identify constraints to efficient service delivery at local government level in rural roads, basic education and primary health care

2. Identify short-/medium term potential for improving the efficiency of public financial management (PFM)

Methodology: Desk study of the sectors in Germany and Zambia and

development of conceptual approach Zambia: Interviews with key stakeholders at central and

provincial level; In-depth case studies of four districts in Central and Eastern Province

6© 2010 German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)

4. Conceptual Approach

Determinants Constraints Impact

?

Capacity

Coordination

Commitment

Control

...

Efficiency

Planning

Implementation

Control

7© 2010 German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)

4. Conceptual Approach

Determinants Constraints Impact

?

Capacity

Coordination

Commitment

Mobility

Inefficiency

8© 2010 German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)

4. Conceptual Approach

Determinants Constraints Impact

1. Lack of Resources

Capacity

Coordination

Commitment

Mobility

Inefficiency

2. Concentrationof Control and

Decision-Making

9© 2010 German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)

4. Conceptual Approach

Determinants Constraints Impact

Lack of Resources

Mobility

Council is unable to supervise road works

10© 2010 German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)

5. Main Findings

5.1 Rural Roads Maintenance

5.2 Basic Health Care

5.3 Basic Education

11© 2010 German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)

5.1. Main Findings Rural Roads Maintenance

Main challenges affecting efficient service provision in rural roads maintenance

- Fragmented funding flows: affect the efficient use of the Constituency Development Fund

- Difficult small-scale contractor engagement: affects the efficient implementation of rural road maintenance

- Different Planning Processes of RDA and RRU: affect efficient planning of rural roads

12© 2010 German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)

5.2. Main Findings Basic Health Care

Main challenges affecting efficient service provision in the health sector:

- Human Resource Crisis: affects planning, implementation and control

- Inflexible Drug Delivery System: drug stock-outs and overflows

- Lack of Flexibility: impedes staff initiative in planning and budgeting

- Lack of Mobility: affects drug distribution, supervisory visits etc.

- Erratic/Unpredictable Funding: affects efficiency in planning, implementation and control

13© 2010 German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)

5.3. Main Findings Basic Education

Generally, PFM in the basic education sub-sector seems to be working well

Main challenges affecting efficient service provision in the education sector:

- Erratic/Unpredictable Funding: affects efficiency in planning, implementation and control

- Lack of Mobility: hinders education officers to carry out their tasks

- Lack of Flexibility: affects schools in their budgeting prioritisations

- Community Mode Construction: is affected by resistance in certain communities

14© 2010 German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)

6. Introduction to Sector Working Groups

Sector working groups:

First part: discussion of selected findings and possible technical solutions

Second part: discussion of implications and challenges deriving from our findings for decentralisation as a systemic reform

- Guiding Questions:

1. Can decentralisation be the solution for inefficiencies in service delivery at the local government level?

2. Are there challenges that decentralisation is unlikely to solve and how could they be adressed?

3. What challenges could arise from decentralisation and how could they be adressed?

15© 2010 German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)

6. Introduction to Sector Working Groups

9.45-10.45h: Discussion of findings and conclusions in sector working groups

10.45-11.40h: Discussion of wider implications for decentralisation policies in Zambia

11.40-11.45h: Closing remarks

16© 2010 German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)

Thank you for your attention!