ABSTRACT
This chapter explores citizens’ participation as constitutive of and constituted by everyday interactions and practices, dynamics within and between state agencies, networks, social norms, and cultural and historical precedents. The measures proposed to eliminate such ‘corrupt’, ‘informal’ encounters between citizens and the state involve establishing ‘formal’ platforms for citizens’ participation and reforming delivery of services. Streamlining service delivery is believed to simplify the relationships between citizens and bureaucrats, while formal avenues of participation will likely allow citizens to monitor decision-making processes and affect outcomes concerning resource allocation and distribution. The consultations were also devised as a means to develop consensus among ‘important’ stakeholders who could otherwise mobilise the masses against the project. The engineers of the Hydraulic Department are responsible for implementing water supply and infrastructural development schemes devised by the Additional Municipal Commissioners.
