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Tanzanian Government Government Fares Poorly Against Grand Corruption
12 August 2009
Most Tanzanians approve of measures taken by the Government against corruption, a report by an independent research organisation released yesterday says. Fifty-four per cent of respondents have positive views on the drive against grand corruption, but only 23 per cent think that graft is at the top of the Government's list of priorities. This compares poorly with education (44 per cent), albino killings (32 per cent), HIV/Aids (27 per cent), Union matters (25 per cent) and national elections (23 per cent). The findings are contained in the report on a social, political and economic opinion poll carried out by Synovate, formerly Steadman Group Tanzania, over the last three months in mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. Some 2,000 people were interviewed in the random survey, according to Synovate deputy director Mr Aggrey Orio. He said 23 per cent of respondents disapproved of measures taken against corruption while 18 per cent were indifferent, not saying if the Government was on the right track or not. Even though the Synovate report did not cite any particular cases, several people, including former senior ministers, top government officials and prominent businessmen, have been charged in corruption-related cases. Cases pending in court include those related to the Sh133 billion External Payment Arrears (EPA) scandal in which Bank of Tanzania (BoT), the BoT 'Twin Towers' project in which over Sh200 billion was lost in dubious circumstances, and over Sh60 billion in tax exemptions awarded to the private gold auditing firm Alex Stewart Assayers. However, the $172.5 million Richmond scandal continues to haunt the Government over two years after former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa and Cabinet ministers Nazir Karamagi and Ibrahim Msabaha resigned after they were adversely mentioned in the report of a parliamentary committee appointed to investigate the awarding of the tender to generate emergency electricity. Parliament last month rejected the Government's action report on the Richmond scandal that attempted to exonerate Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) chief Edward Hoseah and Attorney General Johnson Mwanyika of any wrongdoing. The Synovate report shows that the Police Force and judiciary are perceived to be the most corrupt institutions in Tanzania at 46 and 34 per cent, respectively. Religious organisations (1 per cent), the media (4 per cent), NGOs (7 per cent) and Parliament (9 per cent) are the least corrupt, according to the report. At least one in every ten respondents (14 per cent) admitted to having given bribes to get public service with two-thirds (66 per cent) saying they parted with Sh10,000 or less to bribe public servants. Interestingly, however, when asked if they had reported corruption to the relevant agencies, 92 per cent said they did not bother because of a number of reasons. These include the feeling that reporting the culprits was a waste of time and fear of being targeted by those they reported. The media (38 per cent) was rated highest in the fight against corruption followed by ordinary Tanzanians (21 per cent) and politicians (15 per cent). On matters related to poverty alleviation and control of inflation, the Government's performance was a mixed basket of results. High food prices, poverty and unemployment were ranked bottom in that order in perception of their importance. Respondents felt that environmental degradation, crime, corruption and railway transport were being given adequate attention. Areas that fared poorly included electricity supply, road maintenance and access to health services. On trust in people and institutions, President Jakaya Kikwete scored 58 per cent. Others were Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda (53 per cent), Parliament (33 per cent), Cabinet (26 per cent) and National Electoral Commission (18 per cent). Financial institutions and the national examination council attracted the lowest public trust in the survey. Overall, slightly over half (52 per cent) highly approve / approve of the government's performance in the last 12 months. At least one in every ten remained non-committal in their approval and close to one third disapproving of the Government's performance. But close to two thirds (62 per cent) strongly approve/ approve of the Government's performance in the last three months. Reasons for the approval ranged from improved social facilities like schools and hospitals and also that the Government fulfilled its duties, fought corruption and ensured good workmanship in some places. Those who disapproved said they were not happy falling standards of living, privatisation of public amenities and not fulfilling promises. Mr Orio said the report was part of the company's efforts to gauge public opinion and press for good governance ahead of next year's General Election.
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