Bauchi State Inaugurates Consultative Committee to Strengthen Statistical Data for Good Governance
By Uzairu Dauda Bunga:
The Bauchi State Bureau of Statistics (BBS) has launched the State Consultative Committee on Statistics aimed at generating reliable data to promote good governance across various sectors.
The inauguration ceremony was held at the Development Exchange Centre in Bauchi, with the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Aminu Hammayo, who is also the Chief Promoter of the Bureau, serving as the events keynote speaker.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning, and Multilateral Coordination, Alhaji Jibrin Muhammad Yusuf, the SSG emphasized the committees role in providing accurate and timely data.
He said, The committee will be responsible for assessing the annual performance of different Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), reviewing ongoing projects, and advising on strategic next steps to benefit the people of Bauchi State.
Alhaji Hammayo expressed confidence in the technical committee members, trusting they would help the Bureau achieve its objectives for better governance.
Earlier in the event, the Bauchi State Statistician General, Alhaji Lawal Bako, commended Governor Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad for creating a robust and diverse committee that includes representatives from academia, government agencies, labor unions, civil society organizations, and both state and federal institutions, as well as military and paramilitary bodies. Saying this cross-sectoral collaboration aims to ensure accurate and reliable statistical data for the state.
Alhaji Bako reaffirmed the Bureaus commitment to supporting the administrations vision for good governance, stressing that the teams dedication would contribute to the states progress.
In his presentation, Mr. Tochukwu Innocent, a consultant on statistical data and Managing Director of Innometh Consulting Ltd, underscored the importance of substantial financial investment to generate accurate and reliable data.
He outlined strategies for strengthening the Bureau, including the establishment of a well-equipped office, investing in modern data collection tools and technology, providing training for statisticians, and fostering partnerships with international organizations for funding and technical expertise.
In his goodwill message, the Acting Team Lead of the State2State USAID project, Alhaji Abubakar Sadik Usman, highlighted that executing any project without proper data would be a waste of time.
He urged the committee to prioritize data collection from local communities and relevant agencies, as this information would be crucial for effective planning and budgeting in the state.
Also on his part, a representative of Civil Society Organizations, Mr. Jinjiri Garba, emphasized the importance of proactive actions, assured the CSOs full support in ensuring that the committees efforts lead to tangible improvements for the people of Bauchi State.
Responding on behalf of the consultative Technical Committee, Professor Ahmed Abubakar, reminded the public of the critical role reliable, timely, and accurate data plays in shaping successful policies and programs.
He stated that the committee represents a melting pot of diverse perspectives and solutions that will shape the future trajectory of Bauchi State.
Professor Abubakar assured the public of their unwavering commitment to fulfilling the mandate entrusted to them.
He said this new initiative marks a significant step toward strengthening data collection and analysis in Bauchi State, with the ultimate goal of fostering transparent and effective governance.
