STATISTICIAN General Dr Albina Chuwa has appealed to members of the public to provide correct information and data during surveys conducted by the government to inform decision-making and spur national development.

She said National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is currently undertaking several surveys, including agriculture survey, among others across the country, stressing the need for sample households to provide rightful data to surveyors.

Speaking during an event to mark the African Statistics Day, nationally held at Chamwino in Dodoma Region on Wednesday, Dr Chuwa stated that Tanzania ranks ahead of many countries in the continent and beyond in terms of accurate statistics.

“The National Bureau of Statistics is proud to join the rest of the continent in celebrating this event under the theme ‘Supporting education by modernizing the production of fit-for-purpose statistics’,” she said, adding that while the day is marked on 18th November annually, this year Tanzania marked the day on 20th November. 

The event is marked in efforts to raise public awareness on the importance of statistics in all areas of social and economic life. “Without right statistics no development can be achieved and government cannot meet long term visions” she observed.

According to the statistician, the theme for this year is in line with African leader’s commitment to bringing development to the people by improving education.

She urged stakeholders to continue championing data-driven decision-making, ensuring that no child is left behind in the pursuit of quality education.

Earlier, in line with this year’s theme, NBS donated materials worth 4m/- to Buigiri Primary School for the Blind for construction kitchen.

Chamwino District Commissioner Janeth Mayanja who was the chief guest at the event underscored the need for correct statistics.

She said that political will of national leaders in the country ensures correct statistics for sustainable development.  

African statistics community celebrates the African Statistics Day (ASD) with the aim of raising public awareness on the importance of statistics in the social and economic development of the continent.

The decision to celebrate ASD on 18 November every year was made by the 25th session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the 16th meeting of African ministers responsible for economic planning and development in May 1990.