NW Chief Of Statistics Highlights Its Place In Combatting Covid-19.

By Martial Gnoukapasi.

NW chief of statistics, Fotue Sebastien

The north west regional chief of statistics Fotue Sabastien says statistics is primordial in the ongoing fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

He was speaking Wednesday November 18th during activities to mark the 30th anniversary of the African Statistics Day in the region.

"Without statistics it won't be possible for decision makers to plan, evaluate and decide if it's necessary to change strategies or not. It's thanks to it that decisions to improve the quality of healthcare offered Covid-19 patients in the country were taken"

The director further states that with support from funders, two major surveys evaluating the impact of the pandemic on households, enterprises, on regional and local institutions were carried out.

Report on SDG indicators in NWR

The results he acknowledged, were very instrumental in helping government offer support to some councils and enterprises.

Observed under the theme "Modernising national statistical system to promote data and statistics to support sustainable peace and development in Africa", the day he added, presents an opportunity to sensitize the population and administration on the crucial role of statistics in the social and economic lives of a region like the north west , badly hit by the conflict and begging for economic recovery.

The secretary general at the North West governors office Viang Mekala, launching the activities said statistics is vital for the development of the region and country.

"It's thanks to statistics that we can be able to evaluate the level of insecurity in the region, the situation in our schools, monitor the economic and socio-cultural cultural improvement of the region".

Viang Mekala- SG at NW Governors Office.

He announced that funds have been approved to assist public and private institutions gain knowledge on statistics gathering.

The move he said will help institutions in the region make available data about their structures on time to the national institute of statistics, to enable the latter structure prepare the yearly regional statistical book on time.

Mr Fotue Sebastien also called on those who haven't submitted their data for the 2020 statistical year book to do so for it to be launched.

The regional statistical year book contains data of public and private structures put together by the national institute of statistics, for consultation by investors, government, students etc, to permit them make informed and wise investment and academic choices, shaping government policies and fighting corruption.

Staff, administration and other stakeholders of INS

From the slideshows, it became visible that statistics in conflict zones goes beyond counting the sorrows caused by the conflict.

It's also fundamental in maintaining the relationship between a government and it's people, reason why any data collected for statistical purpose must be accurate and trusted by the population.

One of the major challenge facing the North West regional institute of statistics is limited staff which makes it difficult to collect and process data on time as explained by one of workers.

Launched in 1990, the African day for Statistics has as one of it's objectives to raise public awareness and track a country's developmental strides.