Resource mobilisation,management and service delivery in the Zambian local authorities: A study of Livingstone city council

Abstract

The study was aimed at investigating the nature of resource mobilisation, management and service delivery in Livingstone District by Livingstone City Council (LCC). Service delivery in Livingstone was generally poor, despite being the tourist capital of Zambia, with the affluent tourism industry. The above discrepancy prompted the study, to ascertain possible impediments in the process of mobilisation and management of resources, at Livingstone City Council. The main objective of the study was to investigate the nature of mobilisation and management of resources at Livingstone City Council and the effects on service delivery. Operational objectives examined the nature and extent of mobilisation of resources; institutional capacity; impediments in effective mobilisation and management of resources; and the link between mobilisation and management of resources and service delivery. The study was a descriptive research type. It used a mixed sampling method. Secondary data was obtained from a variety of documents, while primary data was collected using structured questionnaires, from 456 respondents and interview guides, from 85 respondents. A statistical package, SPSS was used to analyse quantitative data, while qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. The study revealed that, from 2002 to 2012, revenue at Livingstone City Council was below 70% of the budgeted amounts. This was largely attributed to the use of outdated billing roll, political interference and apathy in the payment of levies among residents. It was further revealed that, the tourism industry in the District was still in its infancy, to make a significant impact on revenue. It was established that management of resources at the Council was characterised by misappropriation of funds, unsupported expenditure, unretired imprest of over K30,000,000.00 in 2011 and servicing of over K18,000,000,000.00 debt. Further, the Council had inadequate essential equipment, insignificant investment in capital projects and unqualified employees for the posts held. The study concluded that, inefficient methods of resource mobilisation, improper management of resources and debt servicing coupled with political interference, constrained the Council’s finances leading to incapacity to invest in human capital and assets, thereby negatively affecting service delivery. It is recommended that, Livingstone City Council consider privatising the revenue collection system, build the capacity of existing human capital, recruit professional staff and adopt modern technologies, such as, e-payment and e-billing in resource mobilisation.