Examining Political and Administrative Actor’s compliance with Good Governance Principles in Implementation and Management of Projects in Tanzania

Abstract

Governance and government are terms used interchangeably and have been a global matter since the beginning of public administration in Europe. The application of practices such as transparency, accountability, impartiality, democracy and rule of law by all parties participating in government operations is ensured through governance, which is a fundamental component of new public management. This paper sought to examine elected and appointed officials’ compliance with good governance principles in implementing and managing development projects, using Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit System (DARTS) as a case study in Dar-es-Salaam Municipalities. The study involved four municipalities where DARTS project passes. This study was based on interpretivism philosophy and implemented a phenomenology-case study design following a qualitative approach where data was collected through Key Informant Interviews (KI), Focus group discussions (FGDs) and Documentary Review (DR). Data from the study were analysed and evaluated using thematic analysis. Due to a lack of effective governance procedures, the study discovered that some of decisions related to project implementation and management were not rational as it was observed during contraction of phase one BRT bus terminal at the flood area at Jangwani. According to the study, the two sides worked closely together throughout the design phase, but when things go wrong during implementation and management, politicians would sometimes act irrationally toward the public for political advantage in order to manipulate voters for future political gains.The study indicated that adhering to good governance norms by elected and appointed officials was difficult, resulting in occasionally poor decisions due to political will or administrative personal interest. The study recommended that, government institutions should employ enforcement mechanisms, such as laws, regulations, and procedures and training and development to both political and administrative officials, to make sure that the two category of actors involved in the implementation and management of projects are adhering to the doctrines of good governance