The Role of Urban Municipality Decentralization in Reducing Urban Poverty in Ethiopian Somali Region: The Case of Jigjiga and Gode Towns

Abstract

In Ethiopia urban poverty has increased overtime. This has exerted pressure on many regional governments to reform their municipalities on the basis of the framework of the broad urban municipality decentralization strategy. However, little is known about the impacts of the reform on urban poverty reduction. The focus of this study was, therefore, to assess the urban municipality decentralization impact on poverty reduction. The study used mixed research method.  The finding shows that decentralization has some imperative impact in creating job and increasing studied people income. After the reform, there is improvement in urban services delivery, such as education, health and transport. The vulnerability of poor to urban environment and economic context has also decreased following the reform.  On the other side, the study found out that lack of safe water is a serious problem in both towns. The reform is faced with inadequate finance and shortage of skilled human power. Finally, the study suggests the importance of participating local people in development endeavors, working with NGOs, facilitating at least government provided public transport, public water taps and on job training.