PUBLIC SECTOR REFORMS’ CONTRIBUTION TO POOR PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY IN ZAMBIA: POOR IMPLEMENTATION OR DEFECTIVE PROGRAMMES?

Abstract

The ultimate goal of any public sector reform is always effective and efficient delivery of public services in the right quality and quantity. Amazingly, evidenceseems to suggest that not only have Zambia’s public service reforms failed to improve service delivery, but they are also at the heart of the problem. In some instances, these reforms have even rolled back the few positives of the pre-reform era. Pro-reformers contend that service delivery would have improved had the reforms achieved their intended objectives. However, it is the view of this article, that the reforms were a failure due to their inherent deficiencies of the pioneering reform programmes resulting from flawed programme designs and objectives which were out of touch with reality. As a result, current reform programmes are aimed not at improving service delivery, but rather, minimising the damage caused by the earlier reforms under privatisation and the Public Service Reform Programme.