An Enquiry Into The Effective Management Of Subsistence Allowances Within The Ministry Of Defence

ABSTRACT

This study examined the challenges associated with the Travelling and Subsistence Allowance (T&SA) within the Ministry of Defence. Included in the study are the following issues: overspending on travelling and subsistence allowances; lack of focus by Human Resources personnel on foreign missions; inadequate qualified personnel at management level; lack of recognition by senior management; unfair treatment and unnecessary low-priority trips being undertaken. The study used qualitative method in collecting the data. Four research instruments were employed to collect the required data namely; interview, questionnaires, focus group and observation. A questionnaire, structured in such a way that it contained both closed and open-ended questions, was distributed among the target group of officers in the MoD. Travelling allowance is available to everyone in the MoD. The authorised period of submitting expense claim is 30 days after the trip and monthly for a person who is away for a long period. The low-ranking staff members are not recognised to undertake official missions. However, high-ranking officers repeatedly go on official missions. There is dissatisfaction among the MoD staff members regarding the entitlement to T&SA which was alleged to be unfairly given to one group of staff members hence the need to revise the T&SA policy. This study recommends that the provision of travel and subsistence allowance be decentralized, at the service level, for the Service Commander to control his/her funds, and also to educate the NDF Commanders to be committed and to accept more responsibility, assume full control of the unit‟s budget and treat the soldiers fairly.