HE ROLE OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN FIGHTING URBAN LAND CORRUPTION: THE CASE OF ARBA MINCH TOWN, IN GAMO GOFA ZONE, SNNPRS, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This study explored the role of community participation in fighting urban land corruption in Arba Minch town. The study considered households from purposively selected three kebeles of the study area, employees and officials from Arba Minch town land administration sector in GamoGofa Zone SNNPRS. Purposive and systematic sampling techniques were employed to select samples from total population. A total of 240 respondents were participated in this study. A self-administered questionnaire, interview, focused group discussion and document analysis were used. Three kebeles namely: Edigetber, Gurba and Kulfo were participated in the study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and T-test. The findings of the study indicated that; regarding drivers of urban land corruption: absence of land records, greediness of officials and lack of public concern, inability to maintain a given standard of living, inadequate land laws and procedures, lack of punitive measures, unclear delineation of state and private land, the weakness of justice system, poor incentive to employees, lack of awareness about anti-corruption laws were identified. Concerning challenges of institutional arrangement of land administration sector in fighting land corruption: lack of clear objective, availability of partiality, vagueness of transparency in the institution, in adequate employees readiness to be against corruption, lack of good governance within the institution, conflicts arise during sharing of incentives, lack of incentives for better performances of the workers, lack of regular follow up of performance, absence of norms of the institution in which performers are responsible and accountable on their duty. Regarding consequences of land corruption: failing to keep the interest of society, illegal transfer of land, lack of quality in services, disregard for officials, illegal land use certificate granting, inadequate land compensation, displacement of citizens were identified. Finally concerning the ways of community participation thecommunity was not effectively participated in fighting urban land corruption of the study area.From these findings, it is recommended that the town administration was required to work hard in order to: alleviate land corruption drivers, improve institutional arrangements and minimize consequences of land sector corruption in the study area. Also the town administration was required to work harder to inform and empower the community in their fight against urban land corruption.