Browsing by Author "Pastory, Parestico"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    The dynamics of public struggle for local government autonomy in the post-1990 Tanzania: the cases of Muleba and Kinondoni Districts
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2010) Pastory, Parestico
    The adoption of decentralization by devolution (D-by-D) reforms in Tanzania aims at strengthening the autonomy of local governments by transferring the political, administrative and fiscal powers from the central to local government councils (LGCs). However, the process of decentralization of powers has largely remained on paper characterized by policy reversals and sluggish implementation. This study asserts that such a stalled decentralization process is largely a function of the extent to which the public, namely the local government councillors, the citizenry and civil society organizations (CSOs) are exerting pressure for devolution of powers. Based on the data from the interviews with councillors, ordinary citizens and the local government leaders as well as reviews of various documents and reports, it has been observed that it is the councillors, rather than the ordinary citizens and CSOs, who exert a considerable pressure for the devolution of power to LGCs. By employing a comparative case study design of two districts, namely Muleba and Kinondoni, the test of the hypothesis shows that, in the absence of popular/public demand and pressure for local government autonomy, the central government has used the opportunity to stall the decentralization process. The implication of the study findings suggest that with the current dynamics of the public struggle for local government autonomy, the realization of the objectives of D-by-D reforms in Tanzania is likely to take longer than expected. There is need for increased public knowledge and awareness about the mandate of LGCs and taking of collaborative and more strategic approach in demanding for autonomy of local governments.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Regulatory compliance in local government procurement in Tanzania: institutions and context
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2017) Pastory, Parestico
    This study explored the reasons that contribute to Local Government (LG) failure in complying with procurement rules in Tanzania. Specifically, it sought to analyse contextual challenges facing LGs in complying with procurement rules; assessing the organisational and management capacity for procurement regulatory compliance among LGs and, examining regulative capacity of LG oversight in procurement matters. The study employed institutional theory and its methodology was primarily qualitative anchored in interpretivist philosophy. Its findings relied heavily on documentary review and in-depth interviews with key officials and the councillors in four LG councils as well as some members of the Parliament. Generally, it was found that regulatory non-compliance in LG procurement is both externally engineered and supported and also, internally sustained. Some of the factors leading to it include, central government decisions and actions, the procurement regime itself, weaknesses in LG procurement management structure as well as unethical behaviour related to corruption, abuse of authority and negligence among the actors. The study also reveals weaknesses of oversight institutions in deterring procurement misbehaviour. Basing on key findings, the study concludes that due to various constraints, regulatory non-compliance has become socially and morally acceptable as an appropriate way of undertaking procurement in LGs. Also, the incapacity and laxity of oversight institutions in penalising procurement misbehaviour is widening up the space for unethical procurement and so non-compliance with procurement rules. Moreover, the study unveils the fact that the LG procurement management/organisational structure is influenced more by informal dynamics than rules of impersonality, thus, making it unlikely to guarantee regulatory compliance. The study recommends reforms in the national governance system so as to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of oversight institutions. It also recommends institutional reforms in the current LG governance system, the public procurement regime as well as strengthening of the procurement management structure and the capacity of LG procurement organs, among others.