دراسة ميدانية لمؤسسة شركاء من اجل الشفافية – شبكات الفساد بالمحليات A field study by Partners For Transparency – Corruption Networks in Localities

Through the second activity of The Transparency and Integrity Observatory, Partners for Transparency published a study on corruption networks in localities which is a descriptive study based on social sampling. A questionnaire was used in collecting the data through personal interviews. Also, some given data were analyzed. The data of the study were collected from a sample of employees in local executive councils in Alexandria Governorate.
The study concluded that the corruption networks in the localities were formed based on the supply “those who have the power and the money” and the demand “from localities employees in such circumstances of low living standards and lack of supervision and accountability.” The strongest networks of corruption were those based on social relations (marriage, consanguinity, friendship). This makes these networks so strong that it becomes difficult to penetrate them due to the high level of confidence between its members. The common interests also play a major role in the formation of corruption networks.  The study also pointed out that the corruption networks are often accepted by the community. The results of the study are as follows:

The large disparity of income. The low wages of localities employees as they gain the lowest wages in the country. The Lack of accountability and weak sanctions. Poor working environment (lack of space, lack of offices and chairs, presence of thugs, insufficient staff).Decline in the standards of legislations as there are contradictions and gaps through which corruption can be practiced. Cultural justification for corruption.the extreme centralization that results in a number of administrative problems and the destruction of human resources, especially in the absence of  employees empowerment and providing them with the skills needed to work through advanced and continuing training as well as lack of flexibility of laws  which supports corruption and facilitates the penetration of law.
The study pointed out that there are number of actions and mechanisms that the state must take to eliminate the corruption networks in the localities. Namely: rebuilding trust between the government and the citizen: through the government’s adoption of transparent policies, accountability, and responsiveness. Issuing a law that guarantees free circulation of data and information.  Activating local governance: through the establishment of the governance support unit in the governorate .this unit will establish the principles of governance , follow up the activation of its mechanisms, and enhance decentralization and simplify procedures. operationalization of accountability policies : through Inter-connected systems,  more independent and transparent judicial system, parliamentary monitoring committees, anti-corruption bodies, the activation of social accountability, and the restructuring of the state administration.