The concept of decentralization defies clear-cut definitions. However, in thernstudy of politics decentralization refers to the territorial distribution of power. It isrnconcerned with the extent to which power and authority are shared through therngeographical hierarchy of the state and the institutions through which such processesrntake place. Decentralization entails the subdivision of the state's territory into smallerrnareas and the creation of political and administrative institutions at regional or localrnlevel.rnMany countries have been considered decentralization as a strategy that willrnbring service delivery closer to consumers, improve the responsiveness of the centralrnand local governments to public demands and thereby improve the efficiency andrnquality of public services. Decentralization is believed to improve developmentrnactivities by empowering sub-national governments and the people in the design andrnimplementation of development programs.rnSince May 1991, Ethiopia adopted decentralization policy and a federal form ofrngovernment was formalized by a new constitution that came into effect in 1995. Thus inrnaccordance with the power rendered to member states of the Federal Government ofrnEthiopia, the regional state of Oromia established 12 zones under its jurisdictions. Onernof the zonal administrations is North Shoa Zonal Administration.rnAlthough, officially authority and power seem to be devolved from the centralrngovernment to regions, the extent of decentralization to sub-regional levels ofrngovernment, (Zone, district, etc. .. ) is weak. As a result the decentralization policy couldrnnot be fruitful as it was desired to be in expediting development endeavors or bringingrnviable change in the living condition of the grass roots community.rnSeveral factors could be cited for the weak performance of the decentralizationrnreform at local government level. Lack of genuine commitment towards devolvingrnpower to sub-national units, insufficient experience as well as skewness of therndecentralization drive to political cause than socio-economic purposes are some of thernweakness on the part of the central government. Whereas very low administrative andrnman power capacity and high degree of polarization to party politics and agendas atrnthe cost of neglecting the voice of their people that they ought to serve are majorrnweaknesses on the part of local government officials.rnIn general unless corrective measures are taken by all concerned parties to reversernthe current shortcomings seen in the decentralization process, the condition of poorrnlocal areas would tend to become even poorer let alone achieve the desiredrndevelopment goals. Therefore, the propounded autonomy would be void of meaning,rnbecause they would continue to be dependent on the state. What the present study hasrnobserved in North Shoa Zonal Administration is the true reflection of this reality.