TANZANIA STATISTICAL PLAN 25
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in various MDAs. Furthermore the assessment revealed neither is the National GIS database revised
nor are enumeration areas boundary shape files developed.
All statistical activities need to be conducted in line with agreed International Standard Classifications
(i.e. United Nations International Standard Industrial Classifications, Systems of National Accounts
etc) for identifying the industry group to which each establishment belongs. This ensures international
comparability of data.
Equally important in statistical infrastructure is the Business Register which is a comprehensive list
of all enterprises and establishments operating in the country at a specified time. It is used as frame
for establishment based surveys. Information covered for each enterprise includes name of the
enterprise, mailing address, physical location, main activity of the enterprise, type of ownership and
number of persons employed (engaged). In addition to these; the sales or value of output, initial
capital investment, sources of capital give useful information that should be considered for inclusion
in the revised register as they affect the technological improvement that can affect the turnover of the
establishment besides employment size. Also there is a need of having one reliable central Register of
Businesses that will be updated on regular basis. For household based surveys there is a need to have
a reliable national Geographical Information System to take care of enumeration areas as well as the
National Master Sample.
Box 4: Extracts from the Assessment Report of Current Tanzania Statistical System
• Inadequate/unreliable sampling frame for establishments/enterprise based surveys due to lack of reliable Business
Register.
• Uncoordinated methods, concepts and definitions across NSS leading to inconsistent statistical products.
• Inadequate use of modern technology (GIS) leading to inability to update Household based sampling frames timely.
d. Data Development and Dissemination
Data production and data quality are essential for the credibility of the NSS. The process of producing
quality data includes collection and management of data from various sources such as administrative
recording, censuses and surveys. Currently, quality production of data using statistical methods that are
scientifically accepted within the National Statistical System is still weak in some areas and therefore
need to be strengthened.
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The assessment also indicated that there is no information dissemination policy in place. This fact
hinders both the value and use of information within the NSS. Henceforth this area will be addressed
under the implementation of the TSMP.
Box 5: Extracts from the Assessment Report of Current Tanzania Statistical System
• T imeliness in survey data processing and dissemination thus leading to poor data management and difficult in
linking statistics in policy development processes.
• Poor coordination and record keeping across NSS leading to un harmonized and uncoordinated data systems.
• Inaccessible statistical products due to fragmentation of data systems across NSS.
Box 6: Extracts from the Assessment Report of Current Tanzania Statistical System
• Inadequate office space for statistical activities ( storage and working space) at NBS and OCGS.
• Rudimentary and out dated ICT equipment and software for conducting statistical activities across NSS.
• Inadequate transport facilities for conducting statistical activities.
e. Physical Infrastructure and Equipment
The Tanzania Statistical Master Plan aims at repositioning the NBS and OCGS to provide the necessary
leadership and play a greater, more effective and proactive role in coordinating and supervising the
National Statistical System. Currently, NBS and OCGS lack the required premises to accommodate the
headquarters staff, computer centres, conferences, training rooms, library facilities and stores at one
location. Apart from office premises, assessment indicates that there is lack of transport facilities and
ICT infrastructure for statistical activities within NSS. Transport facilities are required to strengthen the
capacity of NBS, OCGS and MDAs in implementing data collection and coordinating activities within
the NSS. ICT infrastructure is a necessary working tool for data management and dissemination.
The assessment conducted in 22 MDAs in regard to the status of infrastructure development and
equipment indicated a number of strengths and weaknesses. Most of the MDAs indicated that they
have a unit for statistics and/or MIS unit equipped with limited working facilities (computers, scanners,
photocopiers, etc). Due to inadequate working facilities, in some cases data are processed and stored
manually. Furthermore, most MDAs have indicated the lack of a one stop centre for data capturing,
which lead to uncoordinated efforts in various MIS initiatives that have led to data fragmentations and
the duplication of tasks.
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27
Chapter Two
2.1.3 Opportunities
MDAs Assessment results and the consultative process indicated the following opportunities for the
implementation of the TSMP:
Recognition of NSS in MKUKUTA/MKUZA Monitoring System;
Government and Development Partners support;
Greater demand for statistics in view of the new focus on results agenda such as MKUKUTA/
MKUZA, Tanzania Development Vision 2025, Tanzania Development Vision 2020 for
Tanzania Zanzibar and MDGs and
New partnership among developing countries and development partners, and between
policy and decision-makers and data producers in support of statistical development.
2.1.4 Challenges
MDAs Assessment results and the consultative process indicated the following challenges for the
implementation of the TSMP
Lack of /inadequate resources to implement TSMP
Absence of statistical units in some MDAs and LGAs
Poor response from stakeholders
Effects of HIV and AIDS among statisticians in MDAs
High dependency on external support;
Limited subventions from the government budget to fund statistical activities.
The assessment process of the existing statistical system has to come up with the Tanzania Statistical
Master Plan that will ensure appropriate infrastructure at the Central Government, Local Government,
NBS, OCGS, and the entire NSS all geared at bringing about a conducive working environment that
guarantees production of the required quality statistical products and services.
2.2 Roles of Various Stakeholders in the TSMP
There are potentially many stakeholders within the NSS. These may be categorised as data users, data
collectors, data producers and research/training institutions. However, the following stakeholders will
be essential for the implementation of this plan:
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TANZANIA STATISTICAL PLAN28 TANZANIA STATISTICAL PLAN28
Ministries, Department and Agencies Responsibilities
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and Office of Chief
Government Statistician (OCGS)
Play coordinating roles and provide technical guidance to the
Implementation of TSMP activities across NSS.
Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs Responsible for providing adequate and timely financial resources
including sourcing funds from the development partners.
President’s Office, Public Service Management T o accommodate and facilitate human resource reforms within the TSMP
and production of quality routine statistics for the Ministry
Prime Minister’s Office, Regional Administration and
Local Governments
T o play coordinating roles of identifying top priority routine data to be
collected and compiled at regional and district authority levels. PMO-RALG
will also collaborate with NBS, parent ministries and RSs in designing and
strengthening data collection tools and organize training to personnel that
will be responsible for data collection, compilation and use at that levels
comprising of lower local government levels and service points under their
jurisdictions.
Eastern African Statistical T raining Centre and Higher
learning Institutions
Capacity building for statistical skills through training of staff from MDAs to
certificate, diploma and Degree levels, and conduct tailor made courses that
will be identified during the implementation of TSMP .
Research Institutions Responsible for further analysis of various surveys.
Presidents Office – Good Governance
- Strengthen or establish statistical units in all MDAs
- Capacitate the units with statisticians
- Equip with modern working tools
- Identification of data requirements in each MDA
- Produce of quality routine statistics
- Share the agreed statistics with NBS and OCGS and facilitate easy access by different users Vice Presidents Office – Union Affairs Vice Presidents Office - Environment Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Co-operatives Ministry of Home Affairs Ministry of Industry, T rade and Marketing Ministry of Infrastructure Development Ministry of Constitution Affairs and Justice Ministry of Labour , Employment and Youth Development Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Ministry of Livestock Development and Fisheries Ministry of Natural Resources and T ourism Ministry of Water and Irrigation Ministry of Community Development, Gender and Children Ministry of Education and Vocational T raining Ministry of Information, Culture, and Sports Ministry of East African Co-operation President’s Office, Planning Commission Ministry of Energy and Minerals Ministry of Communication, Science and T echnology Ministry for Defence and National Service Judiciary of T anzania T anzania Police Force Government Agencies Bank of T anzania National Examinations Council of T anzania (NECTA) T anzania Revenue Authority Research Institutions Responsible for further analysis of various surveys. Civil Society Organisations (CSO) Users of the statistics for advocacy supporting Government policies and plans for development of the country Development Partners Provider of T echnical assistance, capacity building, and additional funds to carry out statistical activities General Public Data provider’s and data users TSMP_V3.indd 28 15/02/11 09:17 TANZANIA STATISTICAL PLAN 29 TANZANIA STATISTICAL PLAN 29 Chapter Three Vision and objectives
Overview The consultative process of developing TSMP identified the strengths, opportunities weaknesses and challenges as outlined in the previous chapter. This section provides vision statement as well as objectives, strategies and targets. 3.1 Vision Statement 3.1.1 The Vision “to be an efficient and well-integrated National Statistical System that produces quality statistics for planners, researchers and decision makers in an objective, timely and cost-effective manner.” 3.1.2 The overall development objective of TSMP The developmental objective of TSMP is to strengthen the NSS in Tanzania so as to enable it to produce quality statistics for decision makers in an objective timely and cost effective manner. In order to achieve this objective, five components will be addressed. 3.2 Components of TSMP The design of TSMP has focused mainly on the strengthening the NSS through the improvement of the following five components: A. Institutional Developement B. Human Resource Capacity Development C. Development of Statistical Infrastructure D. Data Development and Dissemination E. Physical Infrastructure and Equipment For the day to day monitoring of TSMP activities Program Management and Coordination Team are streamlined within the existing bureaux (NBS and OCGS). TSMP_V3.indd 29 15/02/11 09:17
TANZANIA STATISTICAL PLAN 30 TANZANIA STATISTICAL PLAN 30 Chapter Three The strategic outcome indicators to measure possible achievements of TSMP implementation are: Number of users satisfied with official statistics increased by 50 percent Twenty two (22) MDAs have functional statistic unit Number of MDAs using official statistics increased by 50 percent Number of data producers conforming to acceptable statistical standards increase by 80 percent Number of Geographical Information System (GIS) tools users increase by 50 percent Number of survey responses rate increase to acceptable standard (80 percent and above) Reduction in time lag between data collection and dissemination Statistical outputs are released within the time limits and with frequency meeting GDDS requirements. Baseline survey to establish initial targets for these indicators will be conducted during the first year and monitored during the implementation of TSMP. 3.3 Objectives, Strategies and Targets The TSMP objectives, strategies and targets for each component are as follows: Objective A: Institutional Framework Developed In order to have a functional National Statistical System, institutional reforms are expected to be carried out. This will address the intermediate outcomes of ensuring that the official statistics production and service delivery are effectively coordinated under a well structured autonomous NBS and OCGS The autonomous of NBS and OCGS aims at enhancing the credibility and impartiality of official statistics both of which serve to gain public trust in official statistics. This will bring about a fundamental change in the mindset of all staff of NBS and OCGS, and a willingness to explore new approaches to statistical work. Secondly and equally essential, it will bring a higher level of accountability to government and other user communities in terms of delivering statistics of appropriate scope, quantity, quality and timeliness by promoting statistical awareness among stakeholders in the NSS. Finally, an autonomous NBS and OCGS will lead to fostering effectiveness and efficiency by cutting bureaucracy from the operations, effecting needed changes including change in mindset, better motivating and retaining staff through improved schemes of service, etc. This leads to the review of Statistical Act to guarantee independence of the system and respect for statistical confidentiality across NSS. TSMP_V3.indd 30 15/02/11 09:17