Financial Times on 'Institutionalized Culture of Time Wasting & Per Diem' in Tanzania

[Companero]

[...]

In Tanzania, one African country with a relatively well established if slow public sector, the problem is not simply corruption. It is a form of institutionalised, legal time-wasting that is endemic in the region – and an unwelcome global phenomenon legitimised by donors and international organisations alike.

At its root is the culture of the “per diem”, the daily payment made to officials attending meetings and conferences that is nominally designed to cover the costs of travel, food and accommodation. The unintended consequence has been to stretch thinly resourced decision-making capacity well beyond its already limited ability to function.

One government employee provided Zenufa with an explanation for its agonising wait. A junior regulator earns $600 (€425, £366) a month, but receives a $50 per diem when away at a meeting. A senior official earns $2,000, and gets an allowance of $200 a day. No wonder they are so often unavailable.

His story is far from isolated. An academic in one Dar Es Salaam hospital recalls being offered a payment for attending a meeting only a few dozen metres from her office. “When I asked what it was for, they said petrol. When I pointed out that I walked there, they said if we don’t pay, no-one will attend,” she says.

The tyranny of the per diem is not limited to governments. Non-profit organisations fuel parallel systems that undermine the public sector. While established with the best intentions, they often hire talented officials from the state, and distract those who remain from their own work with per diem-sugared gatherings.

[...]

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/832f89ea-7c4f-11de-a7bf-00144feabdc0.html

 

[bambumbile]

[...]

In Tanzania, one African country with a relatively well established if slow public sector, the problem is not simply corruption. It is a form of institutionalised, legal time-wasting that is endemic in the region – and an unwelcome global phenomenon legitimised by donors and international organisations alike.

At its root is the culture of the “per diem”, the daily payment made to officials attending meetings and conferences that is nominally designed to cover the costs of travel, food and accommodation. The unintended consequence has been to stretch thinly resourced decision-making capacity well beyond its already limited ability to function.

One government employee provided Zenufa with an explanation for its agonising wait. A junior regulator earns $600 (€425, £366) a month, but receives a $50 per diem when away at a meeting. A senior official earns $2,000, and gets an allowance of $200 a day. No wonder they are so often unavailable.

His story is far from isolated. An academic in one Dar Es Salaam hospital recalls being offered a payment for attending a meeting only a few dozen metres from her office. “When I asked what it was for, they said petrol. When I pointed out that I walked there, they said if we don’t pay, no-one will attend,” she says.

The tyranny of the per diem is not limited to governments. Non-profit organisations fuel parallel systems that undermine the public sector. While established with the best intentions, they often hire talented officials from the state, and distract those who remain from their own work with per diem-sugared gatherings.

[...]

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/832f89ea-7c4f-11de-a7bf-00144feabdc0.html

Ukweli mtupu na wengi wako hapa JF wakiongelea ufisadi wa wenzao na kusahau wa kwao.

 

[carmel]

Kweli hii ndio tabia mbaya sana iliyokomaa hapa nchini, lakini ukiangalia upande mwingine kwa mshahara mdogo unaolipwa serikalini bila hii kitu watu watapata tabu. may be mishahara iongezwe kwa kiwango cha kuridhisha halafu hii kitu ifutwe.

 

[Nangetwa]

[...]

In Tanzania, one African country with a relatively well established if slow public sector, the problem is not simply corruption. It is a form of institutionalised, legal time-wasting that is endemic in the region – and an unwelcome global phenomenon legitimised by donors and international organisations alike.

At its root is the culture of the “per diem”, the daily payment made to officials attending meetings and conferences that is nominally designed to cover the costs of travel, food and accommodation. The unintended consequence has been to stretch thinly resourced decision-making capacity well beyond its already limited ability to function.

One government employee provided Zenufa with an explanation for its agonising wait. A junior regulator earns $600 (€425, £366) a month, but receives a $50 per diem when away at a meeting. A senior official earns $2,000, and gets an allowance of $200 a day. No wonder they are so often unavailable.

His story is far from isolated. An academic in one Dar Es Salaam hospital recalls being offered a payment for attending a meeting only a few dozen metres from her office. “When I asked what it was for, they said petrol. When I pointed out that I walked there, they said if we don’t pay, no-one will attend,” she says.

The tyranny of the per diem is not limited to governments. Non-profit organisations fuel parallel systems that undermine the public sector. While established with the best intentions, they often hire talented officials from the state, and distract those who remain from their own work with per diem-sugared gatherings.

[...]

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/832f89ea-7c4f-11de-a7bf-00144feabdc0.html

I agree it is a problem which eat our govt budget and I would wish you give a solution and alternative way of ensuring that there is no time wasting but also there is a motivation for working in public sector.

 

[Shapu]

Ukweli mtupu na wengi wako hapa JF wakiongelea ufisadi wa wenzao na kusahau wa kwao.

Kwingine uko sawa ila on bold unakosea sana. Tayari mwandishi ameshasema ni culture na mfumo ulivyo. Huwezi kuuita ufisadi. Huu ndo mfumo tulionao wa kiutendaji serikalini kwetu. Hamna ufisadi hapo...

 

[Nungunungu]

Ukitaka kujua kifo chetu kama Taifa, angalia topic kama hii uone kama watu watachangia sana. No wonder, tunakesha JF kuandika badala ya kufanya kazi. Najivunia post zangu chache na muda mwingi wa kuchapa kazi. Wanafunzi, wanasiasa, usalama, wahadhiri, wapambe, n.k wanakesha humu halafu eti tutegemee maendeleo. Huo ni muujiza!

 

[Mnyamahodzo]

“When I asked what it was for, they said petrol. When I pointed out that I walked there,they said if we don’t pay, no-one will attend,” she says.
It is true that mmoney attracts. But this cause an increase in " per-diem entrepreneurs" who are always looking for safari that they may earn "pre-diem". To prove this just go to the ministry of natural resouces, ministry of land, ministry of Healtha nd social welfare, ministry of finace, ministry of ..., President office ....

Prime minister mentioned about this sometime. Its responce was(by "per-diem entrepreneurs") underground preparation of seminars,conference ,workshops,... etc (just change the names but aim is "per-diem").

 

[Zakumi]

Companero:

Mwaka huu umejikusanyika Per-Diem kiasi gani?

 

[FairPlayer]

[...]

In Tanzania, one African country with a relatively well established if slow public sector, the problem is not simply corruption. It is a form of institutionalised, legal time-wasting that is endemic in the region – and an unwelcome global phenomenon legitimised by donors and international organisations alike.

At its root is the culture of the “per diem”, the daily payment made to officials attending meetings and conferences that is nominally designed to cover the costs of travel, food and accommodation. The unintended consequence has been to stretch thinly resourced decision-making capacity well beyond its already limited ability to function.

One government employee provided Zenufa with an explanation for its agonising wait. A junior regulator earns $600 (€425, £366) a month, but receives a $50 per diem when away at a meeting. A senior official earns $2,000, and gets an allowance of $200 a day. No wonder they are so often unavailable.

His story is far from isolated. An academic in one Dar Es Salaam hospital recalls being offered a payment for attending a meeting only a few dozen metres from her office. “When I asked what it was for, they said petrol. When I pointed out that I walked there, they said if we don’t pay, no-one will attend,” she says.

The tyranny of the per diem is not limited to governments. Non-profit organisations fuel parallel systems that undermine the public sector. While established with the best intentions, they often hire talented officials from the state, and distract those who remain from their own work with per diem-sugared gatherings.

[...]

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/832f89ea-7c4f-11de-a7bf-00144feabdc0.html

Unajua wabongo engi ni wambea kwa asili, na wengi wao wana majungu. Huwezi kuwakuta wengi wakichangia topic hii ambayo ni ya maana na inaweza kusaidia taifa letu.

Ndo maana mimi siku zote nasema serikali wawalipe wafanyakazi wao mishahara mizuri ili wafanye kazi.

Yaani huko serikalini mtu ANALIPWA POSHO KWA KUFANYA KAZI ANALIYOOAJIRIWA NA KULIPWA MSHAHARA KILA MWEZI!!!

Unalipwa posho kwa kufanya kazi yako. Damn!! Inanikera sana

 

[Nyani Ngabu]

Unajua wabongo engi ni wambea kwa asili, na wengi wao wana majungu. Huwezi kuwakuta wengi wakichangia topic hii ambayo ni ya maana na inaweza kusaidia taifa letu.

Kwa nini tu usirudie kutumia lile jina lako la zamani? Unapowasema hao wabongo wengi kuwa wana majungu na wewe unakuwa unapika jungu juu ya hao wabongo wengi. Sasa wewe tukuiteje? Mijitu mingine bana.....ina fikira duni kweli!

 

[Companero]

Kwingine uko sawa ila on bold unakosea sana. Tayari mwandishi ameshasema ni culture na mfumo ulivyo. Huwezi kuuita ufisadi. Huu ndo mfumo tulionao wa kiutendaji serikalini kwetu. Hamna ufisadi hapo...

Huo unaitwa 'Utamaduni wa Ufisadi' (Culture of Corruption) na ndio umesababisha nchi iwe na 'Ujasiri wa Kifisadi' kama ule wa Mzee wa Vijisenti na Sahiba wake wa Shirika la Mgao wa Umeme!

 

[Kasheshe]

Unajua wabongo engi ni wambea kwa asili, na wengi wao wana majungu. Huwezi kuwakuta wengi wakichangia topic hii ambayo ni ya maana na inaweza kusaidia taifa letu.

Ndo maana mimi siku zote nasema serikali wawalipe wafanyakazi wao mishahara mizuri ili wafanye kazi.

Yaani huko serikalini mtu ANALIPWA POSHO KWA KUFANYA KAZI ANALIYOOAJIRIWA NA KULIPWA MSHAHARA KILA MWEZI!!!

Unalipwa posho kwa kufanya kazi yako. Damn!! Inanikera sana

Kwa maana nyingine posho ni un-fair distribution ya compensation ya government. Wanapata wachache wengi wanaachwa chini.

No wonder viongozi wakuu wanakubali malipo ya mil.4. maana eventually wanapata mil. 25 kwa mwezi.

Same same government total payroll and benefits...inaweza gawanywa vizuri na kufanya mfumo wa payment wa serikali uwe fair na u-promote efficiency.

Lakini wakubwa hawako tayari kuzungumzia hili hata kidogo.

 

[Companero]

Ukitaka kujua kifo chetu kama Taifa, angalia topic kama hii uone kama watu watachangia sana. No wonder, tunakesha JF kuandika badala ya kufanya kazi. Najivunia post zangu chache na muda mwingi wa kuchapa kazi. Wanafunzi, wanasiasa, usalama, wahadhiri, wapambe, n.k wanakesha humu halafu eti tutegemee maendeleo. Huo ni muujiza!

Wanafunzi na Wahadhiri ni haki yao - wanapaswa kujifunza kuchambua kwa uwazi masuala kama haya yanayoyadiliwa humu ili waje na nadharia na mbinu za kuleta hayo maendeleo. Huwezi kutegemea miujiza kama hujengi taifa lenye watu wenye uwezo wa kufikiri, kuhoji, kubuni na kuvumbua. Ndio maana tunasema 'tulia, tafakari, chukua hatua'.

 

[FairPlayer]

Kwa maana nyingine posho ni un-fair distribution ya compensation ya government. Wanapata wachache wengi wanaachwa chini.

No wonder viongozi wakuu wanakubali malipo ya mil.4. maana eventually wanapata mil. 25 kwa mwezi.

Same same government total payroll and benefits...inaweza gawanywa vizuri na kufanya mfumo wa payment wa serikali uwe fair na u-promote efficiency.

Lakini wakubwa hawako tayari kuzungumzia hili hata kidogo.

Mimi nadhani tuahitaji kiongozi wa aina ya Lowasa. Sitaki kutoka nje ya mada, ila inatakiwa kiongozi mwenye msimamo ili aondoe hili tatizo.

It is killing the country slowly.

 

[Companero]

Companero:

Mwaka huu umejikusanyika Per-Diem kiasi gani?

Sijaajiriwa huko kwenye per diems na sitting allowances, huwa zinanibabatiza mara moja moja nikiwa kwenye tafiti na harakati zangu za Ujamaa Mamboleo.

 

[Keykey]

Hii ndiyo kansa iliyotafuna jamii yetu, 'sitting allowance'!

Kila nyanja ina tatizo hili na hakuna kiongozi anayetaka kulisemea. Bahati mbaya utamaduni huu unaanzia mashuleni na vyuoni, nakumbuka pale Mlimani, baadhi ya vijana walikuwa wanapigania uwakilishi wa wanafunzi kufukuzia ile SITTING ALLOWANCE.

 

[Manundu]

Mimi nadhani tuahitaji kiongozi wa aina ya Lowasa. Sitaki kutoka nje ya mada, ila inatakiwa kiongozi mwenye msimamo ili aondoe hili tatizo.

It is killing the country slowly.

Mkuu hebu fafanua kidogo hapo!

 

[JokaKuu]

Kila nyanja ina tatizo hili na hakuna kiongozi anayetaka kulisemea. Bahati mbaya utamaduni huu unaanzia mashuleni na vyuoni, nakumbuka pale Mlimani, baadhi ya vijana walikuwa wanapigania uwakilishi wa wanafunzi kufukuzia ile SITTING ALLOWANCE.

Kakalende,

..wakati tuko SEKONDARI tulikuwa tunagombea UONGOZI ili tuweze kupata CHAKULA KIZURI zaidi ya wale tuliowaongoza.

..nakumbuka HEAD PREFECT wetu aliota KITAMBI kwa kula chakula kizuri kilichokaangwa kwa MAFUTA.

 

[Kaizer]

Lakini wakuu tungiangalia pande zote za shilingi, unategemea mtu aishi vipi kwa mshahara wa kawaida wa alki mbili au tatu kwa mwezi na huku ana familia?

ili kubalance hili ndio maana watu wanakumbatia huu mfumo wa posho nje ya mshahara ili maisha yaende hata kama tukiita namna ya rushwa,

Ni kweli pia kwa kufanya hivi kuna baadhi wanafaidi hasa wale wanaoitwa per diem entrepreneurs, huku wengi wakikosa fursa na actually hii imekuwa source ya hatred sehemu nyingi za kazi kwa vile wachache wanaonekana 'kusafiri sana' huku wengine 'wakibaki kijiweni'.

Hamjaona madereva wana mshahara wa laki moja kwa mwezi lakini actually baadhi yao ni 'matajiri' kupita hata mabosi wao? mambo ya per diem hayo.

Sasa basi, suluhisho la haya yote ni kuwa pesa zote za bajeti za per diem waziweke kwenye mshahara, kila mtu awe na mshahara 'decent' unaozingatia qualifications etc halafu tuone kama huu 'ufisadi' hautaisha.

Hao donors inabidi wakubaliane na mfumo uliopo-na hata baadhi ya NGOs pia kwa sababu wanajua huo ndio mfumo na kama wanataka kuachieve whatever objectives...lazima 'kuwaengage' watumishi wa umma kwa mfumo huo huo wa kuapprove per diems etc kwenye bajeti.

Kwani wakuu pale BoT watu walikuwa wanalipana sitting allowance ya ngapi kwa siku ya kikao? sio kitu kama 105,000 kama sikosei?

 

[Kaizer]

Kakalende,

..wakati tuko SEKONDARI tulikuwa tunagombea UONGOZI ili tuweze kupata CHAKULA KIZURI zaidi ya wale tuliowaongoza.

..nakumbuka HEAD PREFECT wetu aliota KITAMBI kwa kula chakula kizuri kilichokaangwa kwa MAFUTA.

Kabisa mkuu! hizo tukiziita privileges, ndo ukikuta uchaguzi unakuwa so competitive: Kiranja hukimbii mchaka mchaka, unakula vizuri (nyama, samaki etc) hadi 'chakula cha wagonjwa' ile tukiita special diet ijapokuwa hata 'wagonjwa' wenyewe walikuwa wanafoji vyeti, etc

haha kumbe tangu wadogo tumekuwa trained hivyo so sad!