IN response to some reports in our local newspapers, where it is mentioned that as from the 1st of August 2007, all 12 regional councils took over the responsibilities of water supply which was under the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry.
The delegation of this duty is part of the decentralization policy, which regulates the delegations of functions of line ministries to regional council and local authorities.
One should be realistic that although decentralization is an important instrument to empower and capacitate authorities and communities at regional and local level, and that definite functional values and advantages can be attributed to it, it is not the panacea, solving all the development problems the country is experiencing.
For example, decentralization of services like the above case where the directorate of water supply has been given to the 12 regional councils without a proper infrastructure in place, without the transfer of appropriate financial resources and without a well trained and capable workforce at regional and local authority level, will fail.
Decentralization must also constantly be linked to a continuous process of administrative reform.
What should be avoided is the decentralization of centralization, building ’empires’ at sub-national level, or that Central Government reduces or escapes from its responsibilities at sub-national level.
Equally detrimental would be the decentralization of corruption and mismanagement, an ever-looming danger.
In its worthwhile endeavour to bring government closer to the people, decentralization should not be used as an excuse for Central Government to reduce its responsibilities.
Decentralization offers the possibility of privatizing and outsourcing some of the tasks presently performed by regional councils and local authorities.
It could certainly enhance public-private partnership, but practice has clearly shown that once some tasks are privatized, commercialised or outsourced, private enterprise increases fees to an unaffordable level, eliminating the less privileged part of the population from essential services such as the provision of water and electricity at affordable prices.
It also cuts out some of the most important income resources of local authorities, alternatively lessening the profit resulting from such service delivery.
People’s interest must be protected but also the income sources of regional and local authorities, alternatively lessening the profit resulting from such service delivery.
Private enterprise tends to be only concerned about profits and considers itself relieved of any political responsibility.
The privatization of electricity supply in Namibia has caused great debate among customers as enforcement of debt payment applies.
Local authorities are more lenient towards customers and do not easily terminate services if customers do not oblige with debt relief. Social responsibility forbids indiscriminate actions, for example against destitute and unemployed people.
In conclusion, decentralization is not a one-off event but a systematic undertaking. It is an incremental and never-ending process, adaptable in character while pursuing the determined objectives.
Such process must have a contextual and innovative character, performed in well-planned stages.
Hasty decentralization can easily result in under-financed or even corrupt sub-national governance and administration, exploiting uncertainties and being unresponsive to peoples’ need.
Some functions may be decentralized faster than others. Not the entirety of all the functions and activities intended to be decentralized will be executed at the same time and simultaneously commence in all regions.
To be successful, it must be a well-planned process.
Bellington Musalasala Mabakeng
Erongo Region