Imo State Bureau of Statistics (SBS) recently announced the most wide-ranging reforms in its history, with the state governor, Emeka Ihedioha, stating that the Bureau must be made to function properly because it is key to planning and running a transparent and successful government.
The newly appointed director general of the Bureau, Enyinna Amadikwa, disclosed the reforms during his maiden monthly meeting with the board of directors, the first in five years.
The reforms at the SBS are aimed at strengthening the role the Bureau plays as a world-class leading authority on data generation and dissemination.
The bureau was left unproductive and moribund for eight years by the administration of former Governor Rochas Okorocha.
The changes, the DG revealed, were designed to support the state government in achieving proper planning; transformation of the public sector; and actualisation of the Rebuild Imo Agenda target.
Speaking at the meeting, the DG described Governor Ihedioha as “a man that is bent on data, due process, continuity of what is good and, new technological ideas”.
He also expressed confidence that the Bureau would be adequately funded very soon.
Amadikwa disclosed other reforms, which include mechanisms for feedback and learning; framework for mobilising, harnessing and leveraging resources (both in the state and nationally) and energies, and mechanisms for the creation of quality awareness and enhancement.
According to him, the reform takes into account the two-tier government structure involving the state and local government area.
“The changes we are announcing today are about so much more than new structures, they’re about changing the DNA of the Bureau to drive a measurable impact in the lives of the people we serve,” said Amadikwa.
“Our vision remains the same as it was when the bureau was established in 2010; but the world has changed prompting us to start, to articulate new long-term vision for what the world needs us to do now: a proactive, coordinated, well-managed and resourced system capable of meeting statistical data and information needs of the Imo society towards sustainable development, poverty reduction and geometric wealth creation,” he said.
The DG also shared his ‘Plan Implementation,’ which will involve building consensus around the existing Statistics Act of 2007.
Amadikwa said that the Imo State Bureau of Statistics would coordinate the state statistical system.
Another reform he disclosed was creating what he called plan-supporting organisational structures including management teams, departmental teams, standing committees and temporary working groups to handle specific cross-functional tasks, setting up a steering committee on the Statistical Master Plan, establishing a Master Plan Implementation Unit to coordinate and manage day-to-day activities and especially the various donor funded projects, among others.
The 14 directors in attendance at the meeting expressed optimism over the new DG’s ability to actualise the core values of the Imo State Bureau of Statistics which include increased demand for and supply of quality official statistics, ensuring credibility and integrity of such statistics. They commended his doggedness and achievements in less than three weeks in office.
