DATA QUALITY ASSESS! GOVERNMENT FINANCE S
TANZANIA MAI
i
Table of contents
Table of contents ...................................................................................................................... i Definition of terms ................................................................................................................. ii Abbreviation .......................................................................................................................... iv 1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 2. Objectives ......................................................................................................................... 1 3. Methodology .................................................................................................................... 2 4. Scope ................................................................................................................................. 2 5. Detailed Assessment Results ......................................................................................... 3 6. Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 26 7. Recommendations ......................................................................................................... 28 8. References ...................................................................................................................... 29
ii
Definition of terms Dimension highest level of data quality assessment according to IMF where five broad data quality dimensions are commonly Element second level of data quality assessment according to IMF where granular quality dimensions are considered. Indicator third level of data quality assessment where components of quality elements are identified. Focal issue provides more detail for each indicator that is tailored to the dataset in question Key point identifies quality features that may be considered in addressing the focal issues. The key points are meant to be suggestive, not exhaustive Relevance the extent to which the statistics satisfy the needs of the users Accuracy the closeness of estimates to the exact or true values that the statistics were intended to measure. Reliability the closeness of the initially estimated value(s) to the subsequent estimated value(s) if preliminary figures are disseminated. Timeliness the length of time between the end of a reference period (or date) and the dissemination of the statistics. Punctuality the time lag between the release date and the target date by which the data or statistics should have been delivered. Clarity the availability of appropriate documentation relating to the statistics and the additional assistance that producers make available to users. Coherence the ability to reliably combine statistics and data sets in different ways and for various uses. Consistency is often used as a synonym for coherence. Comparability the extent to which differences in statistics from different geographical areas, non-geographical domains, or over time, can be attributed to differences between the true values of the statistics. Full compliance could be defined as meeting at least 80 per cent of the applicable key points (only little room for improvement). Partial compliance meeting between 30 and 80 per cent of the applicable key points (some major improvements are needed) No compliance meeting at most 30 per cent of the applicable key points (urgent action is necessary).
iii
Not applicable
an item is not part of the practice in the methodology or process
of the statistical product which is assessed.
Prerequisites of
quality
Although not itself a dimension of quality, this group of “pointers
to quality” includes elements and indicators that have an
overarching role as prerequisites, or institutional preconditions,
for quality of statistics.
Assurances
of
integrity
This dimension relates to the adherence to the principle of
objectivity in the collection, compilation, and dissemination of
statistics.
The
dimension
encompasses
institutional
arrangements that ensure professionalism in statistical policies
and practices, transparency, and ethical standards.
Methodological
soundness
This dimension covers the idea that the methodological basis for
the production of statistics should be sound and that this can be
attained
following
internationally
accepted
standards,
guidelines, or good practices. This dimension is necessarily
dataset-specific, reflecting different methodologies for different
datasets
Accuracy
and
reliability
This dimension covers the idea that statistical outputs sufficiently
portray the reality of the economy. This dimension is also data
specific, reflecting the sources used and their processing.
Serviceability
This dimension relates to the need that statistics are disseminated
with an appropriate periodicity in a timely fashion, are consistent
internally and with other major datasets, and follow a regular
revision policy.
Accessibility
This dimension relates to the need for data and metadata to
presented in a clear and understandable manner on an easily
available and impartial basis, that metadata are up-to-date and
pertinent, and that a prompt and knowledgeable support service
is available.
.
.
iv
Abbreviation ACGEN BoT Accountant General Bank of Tanzania COFOG Classification of the Functions of Government CSOs Civil Society Organizations DQA Data Quality Assessment DQAF Data Quality Assessment Framework EAC East African Community GDDS General Data Dissemination System GePG Government Electronic Payment Gateway IFMIS Integrated Financial Management Information Systems IMF International Monetary Fund MDAs Ministries, Departments and Agencies MEFMI Macroeconomic and Financial Management Institute of Eastern and Southern Africa MoF Ministry of Finance MoU Memorandum of Understanding MTEF Medium-Term Expenditure Framework NA National Accounts NBS National Bureau of Statistics NSS National Statistical System OCGS Office of Chief Government Statistics OTR Office of Treasury Registrar PEPMIS Performance Management Information System PORALG President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government PSDS PSIT Public Sector Debt Statistics Public Sector Institutional Table SDDS Special Data Dissemination Standard SNA System of National Accounts TDQAF Tanzania Data Quality Assurance Framework TRA Tanzania Revenue Authority TSMP Tanzania Statistical Master Plan GFS Government Finance Statistics
1
- Introduction The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has the responsibility of coordinating, producing, and disseminating all statistics including official administrative statistics as well as national survey and censuses. In addition, NBS, as the mandated oversight institution for producing statistics in Tanzania Mainland acknowledges the importance of providing relevant and quality statistics to users. Through Tanzania Statistical Master Plan Phase Two (TSMP II) 2022/23-2026/27 a development goal has been set to strengthen the National Statistical System (NSS) in Tanzania to enable it produce quality statistics for decision makers in an objective, timely, and cost-effective manner. Production of high-quality statistics depends on the assessment of data quality. Without a systematic assessment of data quality, NBS will risk to lose control of the various statistical processes such as data collection, editing or weighting. Production, coordination and dissemination of data without data quality assessment would result in assuming that the processes cannot be further improved and that problems will always be detected without systematic analysis. Given the varied quality of official statistics and increased demand for data at all levels, NBS embarked on this data quality assessment (DQA) to characterize the quality of routine data, and identify factors associated with the quality and use of routine data in Tanzania Mainland. Understanding data quality, processes of data collection and associated barriers to enhancing quality helps to formulate tailor-made strategies to improve data quality and use. This report provides detailed information on indicators of statistical practices in the areas of the Government Finance Statistics gathered during the assessment conducted by the NBS’s Research and Standards Department which will finally be a publicly available document. The information was provided by the Government Finance Statistics experts of the National Bureau of Statistics. This assessment was conducted in line with the generic International Monetary Fund (IMF), Data Quality Assessment Framework (DQAF) and used to prepare the summary assessment of data quality elements based on a four-part scale of compliance which is full compliance, partial compliance, no compliance and not applicable. The IMF Data Quality Assessment Framework (DQAF) identifies quality-related features of governance statistical systems, statistical processes, and statistical products. It is rooted in the UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics and grew out of the Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) and General Data Dissemination System (GDDS), the IMF’s initiatives on data dissemination
- Objectives The main purpose for conducting qualitative assessment for the Government Finance Statistics was to ensure that NBS in discharging its mandate of overseeing the
2
production of these statistics is aware of the strengths, weaknesses (and risks), and
limitations of the data performance as well as the extent to which the data can be
trusted to influence management decisions and eventually, the identification of
possible improvement actions.
3. Methodology
The Research and Standards Department in ensuring that data quality assessment for
the Government Finance Statistics is undertaken successfully, the key procedures for
conducting the assessment were followed including: issuing the roadmap for the
assessment; undertaking orientation to the NBS Management and staff from the
National Accounts Statistics Department; conducting pre-assessment; and conducting
the actual assessment.
4. Scope
The assessment was based on levels whereby the first level covers the prerequisites of
quality and five dimensions of quality; assurances of integrity, methodological
soundness, accuracy and reliability, serviceability, and accessibility. For each of these
prerequisites and five dimensions, there are elements (two-digit level) and indicators
(three-digit level.). At the next level, focal issues that are specific to the compilation of
the Government Finance Statistics are addressed.
3
-
Detailed Assessment Results The following are detailed results of the assessment based on the four (4) levels of the assessment checklist which are dimension, element, indicator and focal issue with narration and links to relative supporting documents such as the statistics Act CAP. 351, Government Finance Statistics Manual 2014, NBS staff regulation, scheme of service, Advance Release Calendar, NBS strategic plan and statistical guidelines
-
Prerequisites of quality
0.1 Legal and institutional environment
0.1.1 The responsibility for collecting, processing, and disseminating the statistics is clearly specified.
• The primary responsibility for collecting, processing, and disseminating the statistics is clearly established.
The statistics Act CAP. 351 mandates NBS to collect, compile, analyse and disseminate official statistics. The Statistician General has delegated powers to the heads of government institutions to collect and publish official statistics subject to guidelines issued by NBS. Statistics produced by agencies shall qualify to be official statistics if they meet criteria set by NBS and approved by the Statistician General. NBS can also make any agreement with any agency to collect jointly official statistics as the need arises. The Statistics Act can be downloaded from https://www.nbs.go.tz/publications/acts-and- regulations Conflicts or potential conflicts between the legal authority to produce statistics and other laws or provisions (e.g., access to information law or bank secrecy laws) have been successfully resolved or reconciled with no major impairment to the data production as provided in section 46 of CAP. 351.
0.1.2 Data sharing and coordination among data-producing agencies are adequate.
• Arrangements or procedures exist to facilitate data sharing and coordination between the agency (agencies) with the primary responsibility for compiling the statistics and other data producing agencies.
4
Section 17 of the Statistics Act CAP. 351 gives NBS the responsibility of coordinating the National Statistical System (NSS) with a view of having an integrated statistical system to ensure optimal utilization of available resources. The NSS includes data providers, producers and users of statistics, such as NSO, MDAs, CSOs, research and academic institutions.
The Act provides a comprehensive approach to statistical cooperation in Tanzania, including data access for production. of official statistics in access to public or other records, the collection of statistics related to any matter may be obtained from any Government institution, agency, or user or producer of statistics, Statistician General shall grant access to authorized NBS officer or staff for the purpose of getting information.
The Statistics Act empowers the NBS Statistician General to share data at the request of any person or agency free of charge, provided that data shared is not about individual persons or entities.
NBS through Department of National Accounts Statistics in collaboration with other stakeholders conducts regular meetings with several key data providers such as the Ministry of Finance, Bank of Tanzania, Tanzania Revenue Authority, and Private Sectors to promote understanding on data requirements. The law does not enforce direct on the flow of source data. Mostly, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) are used in data sharing with MDAs. NBS has MoU with key data providers to facilitate data sharing and ensure access to data in a standardized manner.
0.1.3 Individual reporters’ data are to be kept confidential and used for statistical purposes only.
• The confidentiality of individual reporters’ data is guaranteed and that guarantee is widely known.
Sections 31,33, 34, 35 and 43 of the Statistical Act CAP. 351 stipulates restriction to disclosure information and unidentified information and NBS cannot publish, or otherwise make available to any individual or organization information that would enable the identification of any individual person or entity.
• Procedures are in place to prevent disclosure of individual reporters’ data.
5
Any person other than staff of the Bureau who is employed in the
execution of any duty relating to statistical production under statistics
Act are obliged to sign an oath of secrecy for the confidentiality of the
statistics collected as stipulated in section 14. NBS Penalties for
disclosure of information are also insisted in the Statistical Act CAP.
351 under section 43.
The Bureau also takes all necessary steps to ensure the security and
confidentiality of the information provided where access to individual
data is restricted to responsible staff and are kept in accordance with
the provision of the Act.
Documentation for statistical products is always done in a secure
manner. Staff responsible for production of GFS review all data
prepared for dissemination for possible indirect disclosure of
individual entity information and design tables and outputs in a way
that prevent disclosure.
Information collected are stored in the NBS server and staff has
password to prevent unauthorized access to individual or
establishment data. For research purpose, the confidentiality of
individuals and entity is protected by anonymization of all records.
Information is only disseminated in an aggregated manner through Statistical releases and/or on the NBS website. Statistics Act CAP. 351, Section 32, 34 and 43 (1) (b).
0.1.4 Statistical reporting is ensured through legal mandate and/or measures to encourage response.
• A law or other formal provision provides for the reporting of information needed to compile the statistics.
The Statistics Act CAP. 351 and its regulations specifies how data and information should be collected to ensure adherence to statistical reporting. National and international frameworks to follow during data production has been explained in the NBS Strategic Plan.
• Other mechanisms are in place to provide for adequate reporting of data for compiling the statistics.