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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 regulation specifies how data and information should be collected to ensure adherence to statistical reporting. National and international frameworks to follow during data collection has been explained in the NBS strategic plan.
• Other mechanisms are in place to provide for adequate reporting of data for compiling the statistics.
During the data collection, the burden placed on respondents is considered and measures are taken to reduce this burden. NBS policies and practices emphasize the importance of the authorized person (interviewer) to clearly explain the purposes of the survey or census to the respondent during the introduction. In the explanation, respondents are informed about the duration of the interview and asked if they are willing to participate.
Data collection forms or questionnaire indicates contact person who can provide assistance in responding, as well as information on how to complete the questionnaire.
Also, every questionnaire contains legally required information on the purpose of data collection, type, and scope, obligation to provide information, reporting unit, confidentiality, and other aspects of the quality in data collection. In particular, a reference to the Statistics Act CAP. 351 is given in surveys and statistical inquiries. (section 31 and 36).
NBS provides data on the PPI to the respondents upon request and in conformity with established statistical confidentiality guidelines.
0.2 Resources
0.2.1 Staff, facilities, computing resources, and financing are commensurate with statistical programs.
• Staff resources for compiling the statistics are adequate to perform required tasks.
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PPI estimates are compiled in the Industry and Construction Statistics department comprising a total of four staff (two (2) with master’s degree, two (2) bachelor degree in statistics. PPI staff also have the requisite training from reputable institutions such as IMF, SADC, MEFMI, Pan African Statistics (PAS) and UNIDO etc. On job training is also provided to new staff of the department. They all have the required and sufficient compiling skills.
Levels of salary depends on the Government scheme of service and are adequate for the nature of the work and competitive with other public entities and private sector in the country. Staff are provided with incentives to motivate them.
For the purposes of monitoring and evaluation, staff are appraised weekly, monthly, semi-annually and annually through the Public Employee Performance Management Information System (PEPMIS) based on prior agreed targets derived from the work plan. All staff are recruited on the basis of professional qualifications, and in an open competition.
• Computing resources for compiling the statistics are adequate to perform required tasks.
Currently, Price data collection is conducted by using paper questionnaire and entered in the excel spreadsheet for compilation and processing but the department is planning to use Computer- Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI) for data collection from the selected establishments.
Staff in the Industrial and Construction Statistics department have sufficient computing resources that are available for compiling and disseminating PPI. Management of database and back-up procedures is done by Information, Technology and Data Management (ITDM) department to ensure security of data.
• Physical facilities and other resources are adequate to perform required tasks.
NBS headquarter office building located in Dodoma and Regional Offices provide adequate working facilities such as lighting, cooling and office furniture and equipment to perform the tasks. The department of Industrial and Construction Statistics has conducive
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environment in terms of offices, tables and other furniture that facilitate production of PPI.
• Other resources are adequate to perform required tasks.
The transport allowances are provided to data collectors in each Region. Regional statistics Managers (RSM) at regional offices are equipped with all facilities required to collect the information for PPI. Airtime is provided to RSM to facilitate communication with the respondents from the establishments selected.
• Funding for compiling the statistics is adequate to perform required tasks.
Funds for the PPI comes from government subventions provided under Other Charges (OC). Work plans are developed in consideration of the resource availability and cost benefit analysis to maximize on outputs and outcomes. PPI budget is reviewed every year and some components are increased to accommodate all emerging issues required in the production of statistics.
0.2.2 Measures to ensure efficient use of resources are implemented.
• Management ensures that resources are used efficiently.
Management ensures activities for production of PPI are carried out and reviewed on the basis of the annual performance plan and efficient use of resources is monitored and evaluated on a quarterly basis by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation. The staff performances are monitored by the Department of Administration and Human Resources using PEPMIS at NBS level and the President's Office, Public Service Management and Good Governance at Government level, whereby staff are given merits for promotion.
• Costing and budgeting practices are in place and provide sufficient information to management to make appropriate decisions.
Management ensures resources for carrying out PPI activities are enough and used efficiently. PPI activities are included in the NBS Strategic Plan 2021/22-2025/26, Action Plan and Annual Cash Flow. Funds are allocated by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) for ongoing PPI activities and allocation within NBS is based on the priorities and planned activities.
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Activities are carried out and reviewed on the basis of the annual performance plan and efficient use of resources is monitored and evaluated on a quarterly basis by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.
NBS activities are guided by the Strategic Plan. Schedule of activities is drawn from the NBS Strategic Plan 2021/22-2025/26 annually. The annual work plan includes itemized budget which guide the timing of the activities as well as optimization of resources.
0.3 Relevance
0.3.1 The relevance and practical utility of existing statistics in meeting users’ needs are monitored.
• Specific actions are taken to ensure that current statistics meet needs of data users.
Industrial and Construction Statistics department use the 2004 Producer Price Index Manual Theory and Practice and other agreed guidelines to produce PPI to ensure statistics adhere to national and international standards. The department conduct meetings with PPI users to discuss on their needs and monitor data needs from users to inform its plans for future developments of the PPI.
Views of users are collected through meetings, emails, letters, telephone calls and office visits and feedback are actively sought. Ad- hoc and periodic user satisfaction surveys are also conducted.
PPI stakeholders are informed on particular features of current data through NBS website, publications, workshops and meetings.
• Mechanisms are in place to identify new and emerging data requirements.
A structured and periodic consultation of process are conducted through users’ advisory committee or Technical Working Groups meetings. Participants includes responsible Ministries, Departments and Agencies and other key data users, including academia and researchers. The meetings are used to assess the relevance of existing statistics and identify new and emerging data requirements. The agreed user needs are incorporated into the data collection tools.
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Staff of the department participate regularly in statistical meetings and seminars organized by IMF, SADC, Pan African Statistics (PAS) and online training conducted by Microeconomic and Financial Management Institute of Eastern and Southern Africa (MEFMI).
0.4 Other quality management
0.4.1 Processes are in place to focus on quality.
• There is recognition throughout the organization that quality builds trust and thus is a cornerstone of statistical work.
NBS management emphasizes quality of statistics produced by the department by following the recommended and agreed international standards. In NBS organization structure, there is a Directorate and Department which is responsible for quality and standards. To ensure the quality of statistics produced by NBS, the standard menu is provided in the website (www.nbs.go.tz). Several quality guidelines for production of quality statistics are posted in the NBS website menu and disseminated to the stakeholders within National Statistical System. These guidelines are Tanzania Data Quality Assurance Framework (TDQAF) for Official Statistics, the Manual for Strengthening and Integrating Administrative Data into Official Statistics, a handbook of quality guidelines for production of statistics, Statistical methods and standard guidelines, concept and definitions for official statistics. https://www.nbs.go.tz/publications/statistical-guidelines
The training programs that emphasize the importance of data quality are given to the staff who are producing PPI. This program emphasis on understanding on how quality may be achieved in all PPI production stages i.e. design, build, collect, process, analyse, disseminate and evaluate.
0.4.2 Processes are in place to monitor quality during the planning and implementation of the statistical program.
• Measures are in place for a systematic monitoring and review of quality.
Production of quality statistics to meet the demands of stakeholders in a timely manner is insisted in the quality guidelines, NBS strategic plan and Tanzania Statistical Master Plan II. Monitoring and Evaluation of NBS activities is conducted on quarterly and annual basis.
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Industry and Construction Statistics department is using PPI manual of 2004 on the quality and strategies for improving data production of PPI statistics. Reviews are undertaken after the results of industrial production census which is usually conducted after ten (10) years. These reviews are also used to identify steps necessary to maintain quality requirements.
- Assurance of Integrity
1.1 Institutional Integrity
1.1.1 Statistics are produced on an impartial basis. • The terms or conditions under which the statistics are produced are in accordance with professional independence.
The Statistics Act CAP. 351 Section 9(1) gives the power to the President of United Republic of Tanzania to appoint a Statistician General on the recommendation of Minister of Finance. Section 5 of the Act stated that the Bureau shall excise professional independence in the collection, processing, analysing and dissemination of official statistics so as to enhance and protect the integrity and impartiality.
• Professionalism is actively promoted and supported within the organization.
Staff are recruited and promoted based on expertise in statistics and other related fields, PEPMIS is used to evaluate the overall performance of the staff.
The Bureau provides comprehensive training to staff to increase their skills and knowledge based on their professions as per Training Need Assessment, TSMP II Training Program and NBS training programs.
Processes and activities planned for computation of PPI promote professionalism and NBS adopt methodologies from IMF as recommended in PPI manual theory and practice.
1.1.2 Choice of data sources and statistical techniques as well as decisions about dissemination are informed solely by statistical considerations. • The public is made aware of internal government access to statistics prior to their release to the public.
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The choices of sources and statistical techniques data is made public to all users during its dissemination phase, it is made freely available and accessible to all, ensuring that everyone, regardless of affiliation, has equal access to the information.
• Decisions about dissemination are informed solely by statistical considerations.
The decision about dissemination is based on when, how, and which PPI statistics or data to release without any external influences such as political, economic, or social pressures. NBS follows the planned dates on Advanced Release Calendar to release PPI statistics which is usually on quarterly basis. The PPI release is always uploaded in the NBS website.
1.1.3 The appropriate statistical entity is entitled to comment on erroneous interpretation and misuse of statistics.
• The data-producing agency comments when its statistics are misinterpreted or misused.
NBS always provides necessary clarification on erroneous interpretation and misuse of statistics produced through medias and NBS website.
To reduce misinterpretation or misuse of statistics, NBS has a responsibility of educating the public on how to interpret statistics to ensure that the informed data is used and understood properly to the users. This ensures the Bureau maintain the integrity and credibility of their work and promote better-informed decision-making based on accurate and proper understanding of statistics.
1.2 Transparency
1.2.1 The terms and conditions under which statistics are collected, processed, and disseminated are available to the public.
• Information is available to the public about the terms and conditions under which the statistical series are compiled and disseminated, including the obligation to compile and disseminate the statistics, the confidentiality of individual reporters’ data, and other key features.
NBS operates under the Statistics Act CAP. 351 section 18 -20 and section 31 clarifies about the terms and methodological notes under which statistics are collected, processed, and disseminated. Also, awareness is given to the public through code of conduct under