The Anambra State Bureau of Statistics says it requires N136 million to carry out surveys, data collection and analyses to ease economic planning and development in the state.

Obiora Obiabunmuo, managing director of the bureau, said this on Wednesday during the 2023 budget defence of Ministries, Departments and Agencies before the State House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation.

“The bureau’s 2023 budget request is N136 million to help us ensure adequate survey, data management and storage for future use of incoming generation,” he said.

Mr Obiabunmuo said data collection, analyses, storage and management had been identified as a critical force in a purpose-driven economy.

“The policies of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration require data for better, richer, faster and simpler decision-making processes, economic planning and budgetary allocation to sectors.

“We want to develop a state-wide statistical portal and website so that we can migrate from manual to automated data management system in the state.

“We have the human resources, but we need to ensure that we train and retrain them regularly to rebrand the operations of the Bureau,” he said.

Mr Obiabunmuo urged the state assembly to approve the budget for optimal performance in 2023.

In his reaction, Ejike Okechukwu, the member representing Anaocho Constituency ll, expressed dissatisfaction that the bureau recorded zero per cent budget performance in 2022 due to a lack of fund release.

“The bureau did not get any funds out of its N70 million budgetary allocation for 2022. We need to prevail on the appropriate authority to ensure that the bureau carries out its mandate as it should.”

Earlier, Obinna Emeneka, chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, said the bureau’s mandate is critical to accelerating economic development in parts of the state.

(NAN)