Iloke Egbe
Across the world today, governments are increasingly judged by not just the promises they make, but the results they deliver and those results can only be measured through credible statistics, effective monitoring systems with evidence based decision making. Strong Statistical systems are therefore indispensable to good governance, accountability, prudent resource allocation and sustainable development.
This position was advanced by the Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer Cross River State Planning Commission, Pastor Dr. Bong Duke, represented by the Director of Administration SPC Mr. Emmanuel Akunobor when he declared open a two day validation workshop of draft Cross River State strategy for the Development of Statistics 2026 to 2030 held at Adsuit hotel, Ikot Effa, off Parliamentary Calabar.
The workshop brought together relevant Stakeholders from Ministries, Departments and Agencies, academia, paramilitary, policy managers, development partners, Civil Society Organizations and non governmental organizations including members of the press for their input to achieve wide inclusiveness of stakeholders to enhance ownership.
Speaking further, Mr Duke emphasized that a good strategy must be inclusive, a better strategy must be widely owned while the best strategy is one that is both sound and embraced by all stakeholders.
According to him, we operate in a rapidly changing environment where governments must respond to economic pressures, infrastructure needs, employment demands, health priorities, education outcomes, environmental concerns and social welfare expectations.
Adding that to respond effectively, Government must ask critical questions, where are we? What are the priority needs of our people? Which interventions are working? Where should scarce resources be directed and how to measure progress? The answers to those questions lie on quality data. In his words " our administration stands fully behind this initiative, Governor Otu remains committed to strategic planning, transparency, inclusive development and Institutional reform across all sectors" while commending the State Statistician General and development partners for honouring the invitation.
Earlier, the State Statistician General Mrs. Akedoh Okoi Edet informed that the event marked another significant milestone in the collective effort to straighten the State Statistical systems and reposition statistics as a strategic instrument for government planning, investments decisions, transparency and public accountability, that strong statistics helps government to understand realities, identify priorities, monitor programmes and respond to emerging challenges.
She reiterated that a strong Statistical system is essential for achieving priorities and when data improves, planning improves, when planning improves, service delivery improves, the lives of our people improve and that is the objectives of the meeting. Asserting that validation means ownership, validation means participation, validation also means credibility and that is the essence of the stakeholders meeting.
In an interview with across section of participants, it was like a consensus that the present administration of Prince Bassey Edet Otu is committed to good governance and strengthening of critical institutions while others admitted that statistical data are very vital for sustainable development.
Highlights of the event was a power point presentation of the draft State strategy for the Development of Statistics 2026 to 2030 by the lead consultant and the immediate past State Statistician General, Dr. Joseph Ogar, plenary, goodwill messages from the DVC academics University of Calabar Prof. Ekaete Enang, Barr. Bassey Okim, Commissioner one, State Planning Commission and members of the paramilitary. other stakeholders in attendance were the Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Prof. Peter Oti and Special Adviser Budget, Mr Otu Otu Ita, etc.
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