Anambra Bureau of Statistics needs N136m for data management — MD

Mr Obiora Obiabunmuo, Managing Director of the Bureau, announced this on Wednesday during the 2023 budget defence of Ministries, Departments and Agencies before the State House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation.

Obiabunmuo said that data collection, analyses, storage and management had been identified as a critical force to a purpose-driven economy.

“The policies of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration require data for better, richer, faster and simpler decision-making process, economic planning and budgetary allocation to sectors.

“The Bureau’s 2023 budget request is N136 million to help us ensure adequate survey, data management and storage for future use of incoming generation.

“We want to develop a state wide statistical portal and website so that we can migrate from manual to automated data management system in the state.

“We have the human resources but we need to ensure that we train and retrain them regularly to rebrand the operations of the Bureau,” he said.

Obiabunmuo urged the State Assembly to approve the budget for optimal performance in 2023.

In his reaction, Mr Ejike Okechukwu, member representing Anaocho Constituency ll, expressed dissatisfaction that the Bureau recorded zero per cent budget performance in 2022 due to lack of fund release.

“The Bureau did not get any fund out of its N70 million budgetary allocation for 2022. We need to prevail on the appropriate authority to ensure that the Bureau carries out its mandate as it should.”

Earlier, Mr Obinna Emeneka, Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, said the mandate of the Bureau is critical to accelerate economic development in parts of the state.