STATIN gets $14.8 million to strengthen capacity

KINGSTON — The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) is to receive $14.8 million this fiscal year, to strengthen its institutional capacity and the national statistics system.

This will be done by providing financial and technical input to adopt a strategic approach to improving the scope and quality of statistical services.

The funds, which have been allocated in the 2011/2012 Estimates of Expenditure,  now before the House of Representatives, will also enable Directors and technical staff to participate in programmes to upgrade their skills.

It is anticipated that the Strategic Statistical Development project will, during the period, develop a project implementation plan; identify skills gap in key statistical areas; identify an appropriate and comprehensive statistical programme; select and enroll statisticians in training programmes; and engage a consultant to provide assistance and support in developing statistical expertise in marginal areas.

Meanwhile, another programme to give support to the development of a National Statistics System (NSS), is to receive $13.7 million, to carry out a number of activities during the fiscal year. These include the development of a framework and structure for the NSS; public stakeholder workshops; and completion of assessment instrument.

The project, which is funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), began in October 2009, and has had a number of achievements up to December 2012.

They include: the development and presentation of a draft work plan; the revamping of the planning committee to form a technical sub-committee to facilitate transparency in project implementation; the submission of year-end reports to the UNDP; and work on the development of an instrument to be used to access current statistical systems. Work is also progressing on the development of a road map towards achieving the statistical master plan.

By ALPHEA SAUNDERS, JIS Reporter