Box 2: Indicator development in REMA

In 2006, REMA established an environment information system with environment indicators. It treated environment both as a sector and cross-cutting issue. The objective of designing the system was to: • support the development and future updating of environmental indicators which were to be used during the production of key envi- ronmental reports;

• streamline the utilization of these indicators by the staff of the former Ministry of Lands, Environment, Forestry and Mines (MINI- TERE); and

• enhance sharing of these indicators within different stakeholder groups.

These indicators have not been used due to the approach utilized to develop them was not participatory enough. Indicator development requires the agreement of key stakeholders on such issues as what indicators to use, and where the data will be gathered and at what frequency. Another possible explanation is that there might have been lack of follow-up on the part of MINELA and REMA due to the lack of staff qualified in environmental information management at the time.

Source: Mugabo 2009 Information management functions of institutions

There are activities in support of data management in terms of budgetary provision, projects or assignment of staff. While it was not possible to determine exact budgetary provisions, it is clear from the activities carried out by these institutions, the equipment available and staff allocated to specific information management duties that money is regularly allocated for infor- mation management functions.

Conditions of access to data

Access to data is generally unrestricted with most information being given out free of charge. Only in a few cases is informa- tion charged at market value or on full cost-recovery basis. Ex- amples of institutions that sell their data include CGIS-NUR, NLC and OGMR. Even where data is for sale it may be free of charge for certain groups of users. For instance, CGIS-NUR gives free data for academic purposes.

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The institutions surveyed manage their information holdings in different ways. Almost all institutions surveyed cited reporting and information dissemination as a core information manage- ment function. Data interpretation and analysis, decision sup- port and data gathering were the next most important functions. Although data gathering is an important function, in some or- ganisations the mechanisms that support the regular collection of data and update of information systems according to a set timeframe is lacking (Mahundaza 2009). This can impact on key functions of the organisations such as reporting, or moni- toring and evaluation. Figure 5 highlights the key information management functions of the institutions.

Library and archiving services are provided by only a third of institutions. However this function should be accorded greater prominence given the powerful role libraries have to play in