EXAMINING STAKEHOLDERS’ ENGAGEMENT IN PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: THE CASE OF INTEGRATED AGRO INDUSTRY PARK (IAIP), AMHARA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This study examines the stakeholder’s engagement in project implementation in the case of Integrated Agro-Industry Park (IAIP) initiative in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. A mixed research approach has been followed mainly using a qualitative analysis with some supportive quantitative data analysis from primary and secondary sources. 24 stakeholders were sampled to understand stakeholder’s desired and current engagement using a stakeholder’s assessment matrix and an additional of 51 stakeholders were included in the study to collect further detail through questionnaires. The result clearly demonstrates that the engagement of stakeholders in the pre-feasibility assessment practice of IAIP initiative was very restricted to some sectors and minimal while a large number of key stakeholders has not been aware of the presence of pre-feasibility assessment. The study also found that there is a gap in the desired and current level of stakeholders’ engagement where most key stakeholders from the agricultural sector, cooperatives agency and unions, potential investors and investors signed agreement with the RIPDC falls under unaware, resistant and neutral categories although the desired level of their engagement is to be supportive of leading the initiative. Apart from these, the major strengths stakeholders’ engagement in the implementation of IAIP project in the region are identified to be the presence of well documented stakeholders list to engage them in the implementation process while the observed key weakness is the lack of clearly designed stakeholder’s engagement plan. In line with these, it is recommended there should be a peer to peer discussion programs with key stakeholders considering the current status of stakeholder engagement; and prepare a clear and participatory stakeholders’ engagement plan considering the muti-stakeholders demand of the IAIP initiative.