How can Tanzania Prosper in 2013

As we approach the inevitable end of year 2012 and the fresh promise that a new year brings, we at Uhuru Blog reflect on what needs to be accomplished in 2013 so that Tanzania can embark on a path to prosperity:

1. 2013 is potentially a huge year for fans of transparency and accountability as the Tanzanian Minister for Information has promised to introduce a Freedom of Information Bill in parliament after a long 7 year wait (News story from The Citizen). This Bill will ensure citizens with a right to access public, government held information. We need our Members of Parliament to support this initiative and to hold the Ministry of Information to task if they don't deliver. Do our MPs have what it takes to put aside political pressures and do the right thing? We urge all our readers and citizens of Tanzania to follow this issue closely, and lets prove the government wrong when they said that such a bill is not needed as citizens dont demand information (News story from The Citizen).

2. Another important document that will be approved in 2013 is the Natural Gas Policy which will determine how lucrative gas contracts will be awarded and how revenue raised will be used. Uhuru Blog has published an in-depth post on how to improve transparency of this process to ensure that we don't leave any opportunity for the corrupt to take advantage!

We here, in Tanzania are at a critical turning point where the old status-quo of government not being accountable to its citizens is at an end. The ordinary citizens of Tanzania are more aware and interested in dealings of the government thanks in part to hard work of civil society organizations as well as power of the internet to disseminate ideas.

UHURU BLOG PROMISE: We at Uhuru Blog will work tirelessly in 2013 to bring you unbiased and well-researched opinion pieces on the state of Tanzania's affairs. What part are you going to play in making a better Tanzania in 2013?

Open Government Partnership Commitment Review #5

After a long break, Uhuru Blog brings you a further review of 2 of Tanzania's OGP commitments.

Click on the commitments for a more detailed analysis:

#3.2 Develop and/or review Clients Service Charters  of Health, Education and Water sectors for both national and facility level services, and make them accessible to citizens. - PROMISE COMPROMISED

We have also reviewed our first commitment from the section on Technology and Innovation

#4.4 Study global good practice on data disclosure for establishment of www.data.go.tz website that reflects high global standards to contain a substantial number of Government held data sets. - PROMISE BROKEN

The current tally stands at:

PROMSIE KEPT - 3

PROMISE BROKEN - 7

PROMISE COMPROMISED - 2

with 13 more commitments still to be reviewed.

As always we are looking forward to hearing comments from our readers!

Recommendations for Transparency and Accountability of Tanzania's Natural Gas Policy Draft

by Alykhan

Tanzania has recently seen an impressive increase in oil and natural gas reserves both land and offshore, which has the potential to significantly boost the economy. However, to ensure that this resource is exploited in the most sustainable and beneficial manner for all stakeholders, the Ministry of Energy and Minerals has released a draft policy document (found here).

The document on the whole also contains informative policy direction on issues of environmental conservation, management of revenue and public-private partnerships in the natural gas extraction process and should be read by all stakeholders.

Given our interest in freedom of information and transparency, Uhuru Blog will review the current policy statement on Transparency and Accountability (Section 3.2.2 pg 15) and make our recommendations based on global best practices.

Objective: To ensure transparent and accountable system in the management of the natural gas industry. 

The Government shall:

(i) Promote transparency and accountability in the natural gas industry; and
(ii) Facilitate collection and dissemination of information related to natural gas industry to stakeholders.

(Tanzania Natural Gas Policy Draft October 2012)

We believe Transparency and Accountability is an important, probably the most important, pillar that will ensure natural gas contracts are awarded in the most competitive manner and that the citizens of Tanzania receive their fair share of the proceeds from this industry. Any information that will be kept secret has the potential to be exploited for corrupt practices and therefore the Natural gas Policy should promote complete access to all information regarding terms and conditions of the contracts signed as well as details of the revenue received. 

Our criticisms are as follows:

1. The policy recommendations are too broad and lack any specific measures on how the government aims to promote transparency and accountability. 

2. It is also weak in identifying key specific ways in which the government will collect and disseminate information to stakeholders. 

In the introduction, the policy paper mentions Tanzania's membership in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) as a signal of the intent of the government to ensure transparency. However, we believe EITI is not sufficient as the reports released are outdated (the most recent one is from 2010, 2 years too late!) and mining companies voluntary divulge information and are not compelled to share information. Citizens need the most recent information updated atleast monthly, on the status of incoming revenue and what those funds are earmarked for to be effective. 

Here are our recommendations (some of which are derived from Transparency and Accountability Initiative's report on Opening Governments: 9. Extractive industries pg 33 found here)

Policy #1. Ensure a competitive bidding process for oil and natural gas contracts and concessions by making all rules and regulations available in a public database, with clear definitions and explanations.

Policy #2. Make public the terms of each concession and contract awarded by the state to exploit oil and natural gas. This will enable stakeholders such as ordinary citizens, civil society organizations as well as other companies bidding for the contracts to determine whether the government has accepted the best deal.

Policy #3. Publish regular and detailed reports (ideally monthly or quarterly) of revenue received from various concessions of oil and natural gas. This has to be disaggregated by revenue received by individual companies and concessions awarded. Reports should also detail how all the revenue revenue is earmarked and used for various development activities.

Our recommendations cover all stages from pre-award of concession to the transparent use of revenue received and will ensure that corruption is completely eliminated from the entire process. We hope the Ministry of Energy and Minerals take our recommendations seriously and amend the natural gas policy to make it truly transparent and accountable.