Transparency still eludes NAADS

Jul 06, 2012

SINCE most of NAADS’ procurement documents are in English, the procurement officers take advantage of some farmers’ illiteracy to manipulate them

By Maureen Nakatudde

WHEN the Government set up NAADS (National Agricultural Advisory Services), her intention was to reduce household poverty. 

However, more monsters rose up — corruption and lack of transparency in the procurement process.

Unless these two monsters are dealt with, NAADS may not achieve its poverty eradication objective, according to a survey carried out in Bubaare and Vuura subcounties in Kabaale and Arua districts respectively.

The survey was carried out by INFOC, an interfaith-based organisation. INFOC launched the report last week at Namirembe Resource Centre.

“Corruption has been perpetuated because of a weak law. For instance, it is hard to arrest a farmer who took seeds and planted, got a harvest but refused to take back the seeds,” says Charlotte Mwesigye, the national coordinator of INFOC. 

“Worse still, beneficiaries conspire with suppliers to share NAADS funds other than getting actual inputs. For instance, a farmer may get money from NAADS instead of say, chicks or seeds.”

The report recommended the strengthening of third party monitors. These are the monitoring and anti-corruption agencies.

Henry Banyenzaki, the state minister for economic monitoring, who was the chief guest, said corruption should be fought at village-level. 

“There should be an anticorruption unit at the village level. Besides that, there needs to be a change in attitude. Instead of thinking that they (officials) are stealing Government money, they should know that they are stealing from themselves because NAADS funds are from the taxes the public pays,” the minister said. 

Assumpta Ssebunya, a lawyer from the Uganda Law Society, says there is need to create by-laws in order to cover up for the gaps in the main-laws.

Rev. Dr. Uzzia Maate, the coordinator of planning and development at Namirembe Church of Uganda, says corruption exists because of inadequate advice. 

“Some farmers lack advice on how to plant and market their produce which results in losses,” he says.

He said there is no difference between those who follow the law and the culprits, corruption will just increase. Matte recommends rewarding farmers who do their best and punish the corrupt. 

This, he says, will be a great way of eliminating corruption. Stephen Sajja, an officer from the public service ministry, says the clients charter, which is a social commitment an institution has towards its clients, can be of use. 

“It has guidelines on how to address complainants and how to get the feedback,” he says.

“NAADs should increase cost recovery. This can be done by empowering farmers and outsourcing services,” he adds.

Since most of NAADS’ procurement documents are in English, the procurement officers take advantage of some farmers’ illiteracy to manipulate them. 

The report was prepared by INFOC Uganda and supported by Partnership for Transparency Fund to strengthen citizens’ monitoring of public procurement.

Although many stakeholders were present, no official from NAADS was around!

How to become efficient

While NAADS strives to provide her services to the public, issues that weigh them down should be noted and worked upon. Charlotte Mwesigye, the National Coordinator of INFOC Uganda, says poor quality inputs still taint the procurement process.

No inputs: This has been due to unavailability of inputs and technologies as result of all parties undertaking procurement at the same time. Mwesigye says there is need for planning ahead of the season in order to prevent this.

Illiteracy: Some procurement committee members do not understand procurement related documentation. “Ultimately, errors made increase procurement overheads,” Mwesigye says. There is, therefore, need to either educate the members or get qualified personnel.

Poor quality supplies: Suppliers of inputs and procurement officers connive to provide poor quality supplies in order to save money, which they steal.

Gaps in the law: In case of enterprise failure, there are no proper guidelines on actions to be taken. For instance, if a farmer took seed and they failed to germinate or had poor yield, there are no guidelines on what to do.

Solutions

Public dialogue: Citizens Forums alias Barazas. Procurement monitors will be able to give feedback, demand for public accountability and government responsiveness to policy advocacy positions.

The direct involvement of the local people and two-way feedback will reduce losses and increase public trust in the procurement process.

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