Improvement of Grievance Redress Mechanism for Implementation of Development Projects. The Case of GRM in SGR Project in Tanzania

Abstract

Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM) are prepared within a framework of the International Financial Institutions (IFI) requirement for implementation of development projects in the developing countries. However, the established GRM are not used by most of the Affected Persons (AP). This study explored development of GRM and find-out how they are used for the purpose of improvement. The study employed qualitative research approach of which qualitative data collection methods such as interviews, focus group discussion, public meetings and socio-economic surveys were applied. The SGR Electrification Project from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma with a total of 2932 AP was selected as a case study. The methods used for data collection involved the use of tablets installed with Open Data Kit (ODK) to cover all the APs. From ODK, these data were received from ODK Server in excel format, cleaned and exported to SPSS files for analysis. The findings show that 26% of the APs use the established GRM to lodge their grievances of which 94% of them did not receive feedback and there is no communication. Also, about 99% of the grievances are related with compensation. Thus, the AP found alternative ways by using procedural methods used in land acquisition and compensation for addressing of their complaints. Likewise, pastoralists used community and traditional methods for communication and addressing grievances. It is concluded that GRM prepared according to IFI requirements are not used as intended. It is therefore, recommended to improve the GRM by integrating procedural methods of settling disputes used in land acquisition and compensation, integrating community and traditional dispute settlement mechanisms, improved representation of AP in the GRC and reduction of time required for GRM process and feedback.