Insecurity delays accurate statistical enquiry: CSO

KABUL (Pajhwok): Insecurity, working less by government agencies and a lack of technical and financial facilities caused the delay in provision of accurate and timely statistics, the Central Statistic Organistaion (CSO) said on Wednesday.

The CSO officials complained they usually conducted surveys in provincial capitals and could not travel to far-flung districts due to insecurity concerns.

The organisation said government departments did not provide their data in-time and the lack of financial and technical know-how remained a challenge.

Sher Mohammad Jamizada, the CSO acting head, addressing an event titled “Better Statistics, Better Life,” on the occasion of World Statistics Day, said the dearth of professional cadre was another challenge for them.

He added the CSO was the only official entity responsible for collecting, analysing and publishing statistical data and it would work to resolve statistical needs by implementing National Statistics Strategy and its 100-day action plans.

He said the statistics served as the backbone in realising the needs, assisting policymaking process and evaluating developments and economic policies.

He said capacity building programmes should be conducted for statistics employees of ministries to collect, analyse and publish reliable data.

Ahmad Zia Massoud, President’s special representative for reforms and good governance, told the event that any policy for the country’s development would be incomplete without proper statistics and data.

“Statistics guarantee economic and social development and help in preparation of accurate plans,” he remarked.

Economy Minister Abdul Satar Seerat said without proper statistics and data, the government could not tackle all development challenges.

For implementation of its strategies and policies, he added, the Economy Ministry needed accurate data which should come from the CSO.

He said multiplicity of data should be avoided by the CSO otherwise it would hamper efforts at economic development.

Dr. Annette Sachs Robertson, the UNFPA Afghanistan office representative, asked the international community to assist the CSO with latest technology.

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