Statistical master plan implementation on track
DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA has implemented 80 per cent of activities planned for implementation during the second year of the country’s Second Statistical Master Plan (TSMP II). The master plan began in August 2022 and the second phase of its implementation started in August last year.
The TSMP II, spanning from 2022 to 2027, is implemented under financial support from the World Bank (WB).
“The work continues at a good pace. With four months remaining before the end of the second phase we have managed to accomplish 80 per cent of planned activities,” stated Dr Albina Chuwa, Statistician General of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Dr Chuwa made the revelations over the weekend when she officially closed the seven-day meeting between executives of the NBS and WB in Dar es Salaam to assess the implementation.
The TSMP intends to harmonise statistics in government institutions, strengthening administrative data and physical infrastructures in collecting data. Dr Chuwa said the completed works in the second phase include research on the labour force.
“We would issue indicators of labor force to be considered in the next national budget. We have completed research on agriculture,” she noted.
“The technology is growing, we need to see what other countries are doing,” she stated.
“In 2022 Tanzania broke a record by releasing the census report within 45 days after data collection. So, I have asked the WB to enable our experts to go and share their experiences in other countries.”
On his part, the Chief Government Statistician for the Office of the Chief Government Statistician (OCGS) in Zanzibar, Mr Salum Kassim Ali, said through the TSMP II they expect to build a new building in Chakechake, Pemba.
“We thank the Zanzibar government for giving us land to construct the building. We have already issued a tender and acquired the constructor. I call upon executives to ensure that the project is implemented. I also ask citizens to use our statistics for planning,” he appealed. Commenting, Census Commissioner, Anne Makinda stated that it has been good for the two institutions from mainland and Zanzibar to work together.
Ms Makinda, who is a former National Assembly Speaker, further argued; “statistics are fact, if we educate citizens, we would make a big step ahead.
People would demand what is not available in their areas based on statistics At the meeting, the World Bank delegation expressed satisfaction over the progress made so far in the implemented activities and looks forward to achievements in the coming months.
