December 14, 2010

New Corruption Report for Tanzania

Tanzania experienced a high tide in corruption levels this year compared to last year, according to new findings of a corruption perception survey (CPS) released recently by Concern for Development Initiatives in Africa (ForDIA). The report indicated an increasing level of corruption, with the average level of corruption in the country described as over 50 per cent.

The CPS report released in Dar es Salaam on December 10 to coincide with the Integrity Day, followed a survey conducted in 44 local government authorities (LGAs) in 11 regions of Tanzania Mainland between March and June, this year.
It said that in gauging public perception in relation to functioning of systemic governance structures and operatives, CPS scrutinised performances of 14 departments/agencies, the outlets charged with service delivery to the public in LGAs

The outlets included Education, Health, Lands and Housing, Licensing and Revenue, Judiciary, Ward Development Committees, Police, the office of District Executive Directors, Natural Resources, Water and Sewerage, Power Utility/Tanesco, HIV/Aids Committees, Cooperatives and Road and Works.

The study findings indicated that employees in the Police, Health, Judiciary, Power utility/Tanesco, Licensing and Revenue, Water and Sewerage, Education, Road & Works, Natural Resources, Land and Housing and HIV/Aids agencies are amongst the frequent recipients of bribes.

Comparatively, the 2010 CPS findings indicate upward shift above the 2009 CPS scores. Police have shot from second (75.8 per cent last year) to first position (85.3 per cent this year), replacing Tanesco (82.35 per cent last year) which had dropped to the forth position (82.8 per cent this year).

The latter replaces Licensing and Revenue, which has settled at the fifth position (75.65 per cent last year, and 81.85 per cent this year). The health departments employees have moved to second position (84.05 per cent) replacing the police, while judiciary employees have maintained their third position albeit with relatively higher score (75.75 per cent, last year and 83.6 per cent, this year).

The report said an overall analysis of corruption perception regarding the extent to which corruption receivable rent is shared across LGAs agencies indicates, again, the Police, Judiciary, Health, Licensing and Revenue and Lands and Housing are the leading agencies in receiving bribes.

Comparing with last year’s CPS findings, the Licensing & Revenue agency has in this year’s survey dropped one step, swapping position with the Lands and Housing agency, which in this year’s survey settles at the fifth position.
As for bribes actually paid by the public, analysis of corresponding recipients indicates health department is the leading recipient, with 46.8 per cent, followed by police pocketing 20.8 per cent of the share, while education department is the third highest recipient with 16 per cent. The judiciary is the fourth highest recipient of proceeds of corruption ranked by 11.3 per cent of households. In all, 93.4 per cent of corruption was transacted with cash, which is the most preferred form and means of corruption rent.

My Verdict: Its a socio-economic endemic in Tanzania, root cause are many, but to fight it would take years if not decades.

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