By Ese Obote-Ogwu
ASABA/Nigeria: In a bid to foster informed policy formulation aimed at enhancing the overall welfare of citizens, the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, has underscored the imperative of precise Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data compilation. Addressing statisticians in the state during a two-day workshop organized by the Central Office of Research and Statistics, Ministry of Economic Planning, in collaboration with the National Bureau for Statistics (NBS), Ekedayen emphasized the pivotal role of accurate GDP figures.
“The last GDP exercise was conducted in December 2020; hence, this update is necessary and of great importance,” remarked Mr. Sunday Omamofo, Director of Administration, representing the Commissioner.
Ekedayen further emphasized, “Data is essential for planning, and as professionals in the field of data generation, the importance of GDP cannot be overemphasized.” He urged participants to leverage the workshop as an opportunity to acquire novel insights, particularly during the forthcoming fieldwork, in order to effectively support the state government’s implementation of the MORE agenda for Deltans.
The Director of Statistics, Ms. Nkechi Maduemezie, highlighted the workshop’s significance in her welcome address, elucidating the correlation between a robust economy and policy-making geared toward employment generation, income augmentation, and infrastructure development.
“The workshop is of utmost importance because Gross Domestic Product (GDP) indicates the economic health of a state and nation,” Ms. Maduemezie explained. She expressed gratitude to the state government for sanctioning the exercise, underscoring its vital role in facilitating informed policy decisions.
The call for precise GDP data compilation resonates with the overarching goal of optimizing policy formulation and implementation, underscoring the pivotal role of accurate economic indicators in driving societal progress.
