Assessing the impact of the 2016 constitution on intergovernmental relations in Zambia.

Abstract

Decentralisation is the transfer of power, responsibilities, capacities and resources from the centre to the sub-units of the government. The main objective is to foster the capacity of local government to deliver services to the local communities in an effective manner.1 In a multilevel system of government, various institutions are established at different levels of government to deliver goods and services to the people. In delivering goods and services, these institutions usually combine efforts within the same and different levels of government. As a mechanism for improved service delivery, decentralisation has become increasingly important in the recent past together with the enhanced citizen participation in decision making process in the matters that affect the people. However, for decentralisation to be effective in achieving its intended objectives, it should be supported by intergovernmental relations and cooperative governance. Intergovernmental relations exist between and across various institutions and actors.2 They are relationships which develop or exist between governmental units of all types and levels in a multilevel system of government.3 These relations are significant in a multilevel system of government because it is impossible to distribute powers and functions among governments within a nation state into watertight compartments.4 The IGRs help in dispute resolution that may emerge from the overlap of powers and functions across tiers of government consequently hampering the smooth functioning of the government system.