What are the issues rises within an institution pertaining to maladministration? Here are some instances which could rise to maladministration leading to bad governance.
- Ignorance of the law
- Failure to follow rules and regulations
- Incompetency on the job
- Avoidable delay
- Failure to apply natural justice in disciplinary matter
- Improper influence of board (for example)
- Failure to manage and properly file official records
- Failure to manage actively communications and correspondences
- Failure to utilize appropriated funds for its purpose
- Failure to manage properly staff issues and performances
- Award contracts improperly
- Acting outside one’s authority and power
- Misrepresenting the values of an organization
- Deceit and false pretences to gain obtain or favor
- Failure to manage staff leave
- Exercising nepotism
- Not disclose conflict of interest
- Improper management of discipline
- Having same people on the Disciplinary Board and the Appeal Board
- Non response to staff and customer queries
What could be done to minimize the occurrence of maladministration?
The head should manage affairs of the agency in a manner way to avoid injustice. Suspected maladministration issue should be deal by steps to prevent adverse consequence on the organization.
Suggestion actions to be taken:
- Inform and communicate to staff members the rules and laws in place
- Explain the importance of job descriptions and actions that contribute to achieving the agency ultimate goal.
- Be present to address any situations as they happen
- Respond to queries within a reasonable time frame
- Create checks within areas where suspected maladministration might happen.
- Support culture of risk identification, prevention and reporting concerns
- Create time frame to complete tasks
- Create an easy to manage filing system to record Official documents.
The Ombudsman has a mandate to investigate suspected maladministration issues within Government agencies to maintain good governance as to investigate, resolve or report or recommend prosecution on the matter of malpractice/Maladministration.