By Joy Salami
In an effort to bridge the gap in economic data and enhance planning capabilities, the Kogi State Bureau of Statistics (KSBS), has partnered with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to train Enumerators on the computation of Kogi State’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The two-day training session, held at Edge Drive Hotel in Lokoja, aims to equip enumerators with the skills needed to accurately collect and analyse economic data.
Opening the training session, the Commissioner for Finance, Honourable Asiwaju Asiru Idris, highlighted the significance of this initiative.
He noted that Kogi State had previously computed its GDP for the periods from 2013 to 2017, with the second computation also completed in 2017. “The government has decided to bridge the gap between 2018 till date, hence this exercise is meant to cover from 2018 to 2022,” Idris stated.
The Commissioner emphasised the necessity of timely, reliable, and accurate macroeconomic statistics like GDP for effective planning and governance.
He revealed that the entire exercise is expected to last for at least 15 weeks of rigorous work. “Having a robust and effective planning on the basis of the economy size of the state requires macroeconomic statistics such as GDP that are not only timely, reliable, and accurate but also up-to-date,” he said.
He urged all stakeholders to contribute their efforts towards making the training and subsequent data collection a success.
The Statistician General of the KSBS, Mrs. Ayo-Alani Irewole, echoed the importance of the training in her remarks. “The essence of the programme is to know the value of all goods and services produced within Kogi State in monetary terms, across different sectors of our economy,” she said. “This data is necessary for policy making, planning purposes, and informed decision-making by the government.”
Mrs. Irewole emphasised that after the training, Enumerators would be deployed across the 21 Local governmyent Areas and various sectors to gather data. “We want to know per sector what their contribution to the GDP of the state is,” she added, highlighting the importance of detailed and accurate data collection for good governance.
Mrs. Narebor Oyateide, the team leader from the National Bureau of Statistics, also provided her insights. She stressed the challenges of data collection and the critical role GDP plays in economic growth. “With the GDP, we will be able to know the different sectors of the state and their activities, which will help the state compare itself with other states in terms of economic development,” she explained.
Enumerators were encouraged to pay close attention during the training and approach their fieldwork with diligence. “Everything that we need in the field will be given to them during the training.’
She further stated: “I’m optimistic that the outcome of this exercise will enable Kogi State to understand its economic standing and make informed decisions for future development.”
