LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE FACTORS AFFECTING COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN MERU DISTRICT IN ARUSHA IN TANZANIA

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to have a fresh look at the local governance status through exploring leadership and governance factors affecting community participation in public development projects. The study also has investigated the actors and factors shaping participation as well as causes for non-participation. For the purpose of the study, six wards within two divisions of Poli and Mbuguni and Meru district headquarters were selected. In the wards, a total of 80 respondents from among the community members were interviewed through a structured questionnaire. Furthermore, selected respondents like Village chairman, Village Executive Officers, Ward Executive Officers and Councilors were also interviewed and involved in the FGD. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Simple descriptive statistics and cross tabulation and figures were used in the analysis. The analysis showed that the communities were participated in the public development projects and people were participating through financial, material and labor contribution to the public development projects. The analysis also showed that, the government supported the ongoing public development projects including primary school construction through provision of fund, provision of expertise. The study showed the benefit of community participation in the development projects or programs like ownership of the projects and enjoying the benefits accrued from the projects. The study also indicated that there is a great change in terms of leadership and governance as influencers of community participation in public development projects. Despite the above fortunes, study showed some challenges found in wards and villages being the incidence of corruptions and misuse of public resources which were mentioned to slow community participation in their contributions to the public development projects. It was therefore concluded that adhering to the good governance principles contribute positively towards community participation in public / community development initiatives and also leadership style and governance are key to community participation in their development projects.