The Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Sonny Ekedayen has highlighted the critical need for statisticians to ensure accuracy in the ongoing poverty mapping survey.
He said that precise data collection would enable the government to effectively address poverty, reduce hunger, and accurately implement the MORE agenda.
Speaking at a two-day workshop on the conduct of the poverty mapping survey held at the Prof Chike Edozien Secretariat, Asaba, Mr. Ekedayen, represented by the Director of Budget, Mr. Thompson Olije, emphasized the importance of the exercise.
“We cannot overemphasize the significance of this poverty mapping survey. There are various dimensions to poverty, and I understand that this survey will cover education, health, and standards of living,” he said.
“This is the third time the state is undertaking this exercise. As our scope expands with each iteration, we continue to learn and improve. Given our growing population and the challenges the state faces in combating poverty, I urge you all to provide accurate and reliable data,” he added.
In her opening remarks, the State Director of Statistics, Ms. Nkechi Maduemezie, explained the purpose of the workshop. She noted that it aimed to address grey areas and offer practical insights into conducting the survey.
She expressed her satisfaction with the impact of the previous exercise conducted in 2020, which enabled the state to secure the Federal Government’s safety net grant.
Ms. Maduemezie encouraged participants to engage fully in the workshop to enhance the effectiveness of the survey.
The lead facilitator, Mr. Saheed Bakare from the Department of Demography and Household Statistics at the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), provided an overview of poverty mapping. He highlighted its importance in identifying resource allocation needs, aiding monitoring and evaluation, and driving impactful interventions.
“Data collection in the poorest areas is essential for equitable resource distribution and effective policy-making. I urge you to be meticulous and honest in your data collection and collation efforts,” Mr. Bakare said.
He also commended the state government for prioritizing and funding such surveys. The workshop featured practical experiments, interactive sessions, group discussions, and a robust question-and-answer segment, equipping participants with the tools and knowledge to carry out the survey successfully.
