TANZANIA g) The name, the address, the telephone number and the working hours of the respective institution? The website shows name and address, telephone number, and working hours of respective institution. They can also monitor emails outside regular office hours. • • h) The contact details of public officials? i) A mechanism to request and receive a response to electronic messages and requests for information? • No contact details of public official, just the details of the ministry in general. The website provided a community category where one can registered and log in to access different information about the Ministry. Information service is also provided by means of monitoring emails outside regular office hours. Total Score: 14/20 Category 2- Request for Information The following questions were sent to the Ministry of Energy and Minerals: 1. Rural electrification is one of key indicators for the country’s development. To what extent has this been done in the country? 2. What are the strategies in place to make sure the country does not solely depend on water for electricity production? 3. To what extent are the local populations involved in deciding or implementing energy-based projects established in their areas? 4. How easily available is information on energy-based projects to those who need it? 5. About the gas industry: is there going to be a gas plant in Mtwara so that Dar is one of the markets or the plant will be in Dar so that Mtwara is an external market for gas? Maybe this is what brings up all the issues, as it is not clear to many of the locals. Is there no way of establishing everything in Mtwara, and to only create the pipes leading to other regions, including Dar es Salaam, as customers and thereby creating employment opportunities to the natives? Like GAZPROM in Russia (if I am not mistaken) whose gas is taken to Western Europe for sale. Part 1: Requests for written information n = 20 Yes No Additional Information 1. Is there an official designated to take and respond to information requests? (Please state title of officials in ‘Additional Information’) • Registry department is responsible for taking and responding to a request for information. 2. Did the institution reply within 21 days? (If less than 7 please state in ‘Additional Information’) • The institution replied on time. On the fourth day after they received the letter. The requester was called to the ministry for an interview. 3. Did the institution respond to a request for information? • 4. Does the authority publish their procedures for dealing with information requests? 5. Did the institution provide all of the information requested? (If partially please mark ‘No’ and indicate in ‘Additional Information’ how much of the information requested was supplied) • The institution provided all of information requested. 6. Did the institution provide written reasons for the refusal of information? (If information was not refused, please contact institution to find out what the policy is in this regard –if the institution supplies written reasons for refusal mark ‘Yes’) • The administration officer said all letters/requests addressed to the ministry must be replied to regardless of whether the questions are good or bad. 7. Did the institution disclose information about its operations, budgets, structure etc. • 8. Did the authority provide information without questioning the aims and motivations of the applicant? • The authority provided information without questioning the aims and motives of the applicant. 9. Did the institution acknowledge your request for information within 7 days? • The institution acknowledged my request on time (within 7 days). • Due to the fact that it was a one to one interview, I had the chance to ask extra questions for more clarification. 10. Was the information received clear and understandable? Total Score: 20/20 85