By Maureen Agbala
The Anambra State Government has trained 40 participants on the use of its Open Data Portal in a bid to strengthen data-driven decision-making and governance.
The workshop, held at the Best Western Meloch Hotel in Awka, was organized by the state’s Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in collaboration with OctaveANALYTICs, aiming to enhance data-driven governance in the state.
Speaking at the workshop, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, emphasized the centrality of data in decision-making and governance. She described data as evidence-based and crucial for advancing development across sectors.
“Our governance will be driven by data. This initiative started some time ago, but we are accelerating its implementation. The platform will go live soon, ensuring accurate and complete data across all ministries,” Nnake stated.
She urged participants to represent their ministries effectively, reinforcing that data would be at the core of government operations. “When data speaks, there is no argument. The only question is how the data was obtained. This project is not just for the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning but a state-wide initiative led in partnership with the Bureau of Statistics,” she added.
The Anambra State Government engaged OctaveANALYTICs to assist in data organization and presentation to create a structured data ecosystem. The project will ensure data uniformity for both internal and external use.
Managing Director of OctaveANALYTICs, Mr Blessing Oladeji, provided insights into the progress made. He noted that the company had been working on the project for six months, focusing on the ‘Anambra Open Data Portal’, an integrated platform housing all data generated in the state.
“We began with 10 pilot ministries, including Education, Health, Agriculture, Trade and Commerce, Environment, Tourism and Culture, Women Development, and Budget and Economic Planning. The aim is to collate data from these ministries into a single integrated platform, enabling cross-sector insights,” Ola explained.
He highlighted that the initial phase involved requirement gathering to understand the types, formats, and frequency of data collection across ministries. The workshop served as an opportunity to showcase progress and prepare ministries for eventual handover.
“The benefits of the portal include ease of doing business, open governance, transparency, and increased public trust. The data will be publicly available, aiding job creation and economic planning. Additionally, it features geospatial data, such as the locations of filling stations and churches in the state, among others,” Ola added.
In his remarks, Statistician-General, Mr Obiora Obiabumuo described the Open Data Portal as a milestone in promoting transparency and sustainable development. He praised Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his commitment to open governance and economic planning, acknowledging the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning for its role in the project’s implementation.
“This initiative will serve as a valuable resource for decision-makers and contribute significantly to Anambra’s economic growth,” Obiabumuo stated.
The workshop concluded with a call for collaboration from all ministries to ensure the portal’s success, reinforcing Anambra’s commitment to data-driven governance.
* Agbala is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
