PRESIDENT Ali Mohamed Shein has said that poor data collection, negligence, and lack of use of statistics in the country are problems hampering Zanzibar’s development initiatives.
Dr Shein disclosed this at the opening
of the first ever conference on statistics in the Islands, under the
theme ‘relevance of statistics, every leader use it for national
development.’ He told participants that included leaders, parastatal
executives and ministers; “I am not amused with the poor use of
statistics and research findings.
Dr Shein appealed to the civil servants
to discuss the importance of statistics in national development and
government officials at all levels should embark on using data from
reliable sources mainly the Office of Chief Government Statistician
(OCGS-Zanzibar).
The president cautioned that no
meaningful national development can take place without use of statistics
and research findings, urging the senior civil servants to apply
statistics for better planning because it is vital and relevant.
Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr
Khalid Salum Mohamed, said the conference held at the former House of
Representatives debate chamber, Kikwajuni area, follows Dr Shein’s
recent directive and call for utilisation of statistics.
Dr Mohamed said that his ministry is on
track in ensuring proper data collection and utilisations in national
planning and development programmes, as the OCGS Director, Ms Mayasa
Mahfoudh Mwinyi, mentioned challenges in her office which need to be
addressed.
“We need skilled labour, equipment, and
coordination for proper collections and keeping of records. It is true
that you cannot find data in some areas of research just because of lack
of equipment, insufficient funds and lack of knowledge about
statistics. However, gradually, we have been overcoming the challenges,”
Ms Mwinyi said.
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