| Abstract: | Integrated functional approach to water governance in a federal state structure can
avoid vertical and horizontal conflicts. There are queries on how functional
approach to water governance can be promoted in the context of federal state
structure. Other concerns include linkages, the meditating factor demanding for
reconciling competing water uses, integrated water resources management
(IWRM) and integrated river basin management (IRBM). This article assesses the
existing governance framework and its suitability to promote functional approach to
water governance, reconciliations and policy options. There are inconsistencies in
the Constitution, Federal water management laws, river basin high councils and
authority’s laws, policies, strategies and the regulation that establishes and defines
the powers and duties of the Ethiopian Basin Development Authority. Moreover,
there are missing links and integrations, centralizing tendencies and failures to
accommodate and harmonize pluralistic and diversified local practices. The water
laws need to integrate both the bottom-up approach (by empowering the grassroots
and bringing efficient, equitable, and sustainable use of water) and top-down form
of governance (to harmonize the inter-local linkages among and within regional
states). The inter-state basin governance needs reform and the over-centralized role
of the government to designate water institutions should be controlled.
Reconciliation is mandatory for better empowerment, cooperation and
harmonization at all linkages, levels and types of inter-governmental relations. |
