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Corruption in the Telecommunications Sector in Ethiopia: A Preliminary Overview 365
3. ETC Safeguards in Relation to Suppliers
ETC procedures include comprehensive safeguards in connection with
supply contracts. These include a general presumption in favor of competitive
bidding; decision making by committees rather than by individuals;
a division of responsibilities between those committees; and
provision for regular internal audits to safeguard against any breach of
procedures, failure to ensure value for money, or perceived conflicts of
interest. Provision is also made for external audits where these are
deemed necessary.
4. ETC Safeguards in Relation to Delivery and Installation
The ETC has a range of controls in place to prevent or detect corruption
in relation to delivery and installation. These include detailed checks on
quality and compliance to be carried out by the ETC’s project, operations,
and internal audit departments.
5. ETC Safeguards in Relation to Construction
In relation to the construction of telecoms facilities, the ETC is required
to comply with established best practice in terms of the use of qualified
contractors, inspection of the works, testing of materials, and sanctioning
of poorly performing contractors.
6. ETC Safeguards in Relation to Theft
In relation to theft of equipment, ETC procedures reduce the risk by
strict signing in and out of all items, the employment of guards at storage
facilities, and internal audits. Any discrepancies should be reported
to the board of the ETC and suspicions of theft should be reported to
the police.
7. ETC Safeguards in Relation to Public Interface of Service Delivery
The ETC’s website specifies the documentation that members of the
public need to submit to the ETC to apply for telecommunications services.
The procedures appear to be reasonably simple and quick. A telephone
SIM card, for example, could be purchased in a few minutes upon
payment of a fixed fee and production of an identity document.