The Federal Government is conducting a Needs Assessment Survey to deepen Statistical Agencies and Planning Commissions in 12 states, Dr Kabir Usman, the lead survey’s consultant, has said.
Usman, who is also the Director General of Centre for Management Development (CMD), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja. According to him, the pilot states are Anambra, Enugu, Gombe, Taraba, Cross River, Rivers, Niger, Kogi, Kano, Sokoto, Ekiti and Lagos.
He said that the survey was aimed at deepening the planning and statistical process at the sub-national level. Usman said the states were selected based on their population, economic activities and internally-generated revenue.
“It is important to note that the methodology adopted by the consultant was consistent with the international standard and best practice.
?“The key message from the report on the Needs Assessment Survey is that there are capacity gaps, especially in the area of infrastructure and personnel in the states’ statistical agencies and planning commissions, which need to addressed,’’ he said.
?Usman said that specifically, the report showed that statistical information in Nigeria was lacking.
According to him, where data are available, their integrity, accuracy, and sustainability and serviceability are questionable.
Usman said that state governments were expected to establish planning commissions and statistical bureaux similar to the structures at the federal level.
?He stressed the need for increased collaboration and synergy among the federal and states planning commissions and statistics bureaux to bridge the infrastructure and personnel gaps.
?
?