ASABA/Nigeria: The Director of Statistics at the Delta State Ministry of Economic Planning, Ms. Nkechi Madumezia, has described statisticians as the nation’s cartographers, charting the course for informed decision-making and demonstrating that their role extends far beyond crunching numbers.
She made the remark during a three-day workshop on Consumer Price Index (CPI) compilation and rebasing, held for statisticians at the Professor Chike Edozien Secretariat, Asaba.
Madumezia explained that while national conversations often revolve around Gross Domestic Product (GDP), fiscal policy, and development plans, the Consumer Price Index serves as a vital link between these concepts and the everyday realities of citizens. She stressed that accurate data is central to sustaining credibility, shaping effective national policies, and upholding public trust.
Encouraging participants to actively engage with the training, she urged them to ask questions, challenge methodologies, and look beyond the manuals to fully understand the philosophy behind their work.
Facilitators from the National Bureau of Statistics, Abuja, Mrs. Nkem Musa and Mr. Samuel Lolo, delivered in-depth presentations on conceptual issues, CPI compilation methods, and the composition of the new State CPI basket, drawing on data from the 2023/2024 household expenditure survey.
Their analysis covered reclassification of the state CPI basket using COICOP 2018, derivation of item weights, and other critical areas, providing participants with practical insights into the complex process of CPI development.
Madumezia emphasized that compiling the CPI is a weighty responsibility requiring accuracy, integrity, and deep understanding, as errors could have serious consequences for the entire economy.
The high point of the workshop was a practical session where participants, noted for their attentiveness and punctuality, demonstrated the knowledge they had gained with confidence, making the exercise both engaging and enriching.
