By Chisom Okpala
The Statistician General and Managing Director of the Anambra State Bureau of Statistics, Dr. Obiora Obiabunmo has reassured that the state has upgraded its database, making it one of the few states that operate a digitized open data collection system.
The Statistician General made this known before the Public Accounts Committee of the Anambra State House of Assembly during a financial verification meeting for the 2024 state audited report. The meeting took place at the House of Assembly Complex, Awka.
Dr. Obiabunmo commended Governor Soludo for launching the Anambra State Open Portal, said the transition from the existing manual system to a digitized open data collection platform has helped to strengthen the quality of data collected and enhance revenue generation.
The Statistician boss further revealed that the state Bureau of Statistics in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Planning has commenced the first phase of the digitized open portal system for data collection across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state.
According to him, not less than 10 MDAs are part of this pilot phase and now automated on digital data collection.
Enumerating as part of the office expenditure for the year 2024, Dr. Obiabunmo noted that the bureau has continued to engage in staff capacity building, which include training statisticians across the state.
“These measures are aimed at enhancing the quality of data collection, collation, and analysis, and at publishing statistical information for general use”, he added.
The Statistician General accompanied by heads of various departments of the bureau also presented a detailed report on cash flows for the year 2024, the total approved 2024 budget for the office, along with the amount released for capital expenditure was presented.
Payments and expenditures from the budget were also reviewed as well as listed capital projects executed which include the installation of solar panels for the office. All these were carried out in compliance with due process and the Anambra State Procurement Law.
Speaking, the chairman of the committee, Hon. Noble Igwe, member representing Ogbaru 11 pointed that the aim for the meeting is to verify the audited accounts of the bureau for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2024, as submitted by the state Auditor-General on the accounts of Anambra State and the exercise was successfully executed.
The House Committee further urged the bureau to ensure that government have access to accurate data for easy administration, as the planning and execution of any government affairs lies on data dissemination.
The House Committee on Public Accounts comprises of; Hon. Noble Igwe, member representing Ogbaru 11, Hon Golden Iloh, member representing Ihiala 11, Hon Augustine Ikeh, member representing Nnewi North, Hon Patrick Udoba, member representing Anambra West, Hon Ibemeka, member representing Idemili North and Hon Anthony Muobuike representing Aguata 11 were all in attendance.
- Okpala is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
