Politicians blamed for manipulating statistical data

From Che Bruno Azenyui in Buea

Data specialists of the South West regional bureau of the National Institute of Statistics have expressed disappointment with the manipulation of statistical data by political actors in the country. They were speaking on Tuesday November 18, at the MINEPAT hall in Buea, during an event to mark this year’s national day of statistics.

According to officials of the agency, despite the availability of statistical data on all domains of the economic and political life, most towns in Cameroon still lack basic necessities due to the deliberate manipulation and the misuse of statistical data by policy makers in the country.

 In a presentation on the challenges and functions of the institute, the South West regional chief of agency of the National Institute of Statistics, Eto Guy revealed that statistical data continue to play a vital role in the development of the nation. He frowned at the fact that most decision making bodies in the nation hardly take into consideration statistical findings in policy making. Statistics, he said play a vital role in determining priority areas for national investment.

“The agency is doing a good job as far as producing statistics is concerned but those taking the decisions rarely use the statistics. We have statistics concerning all domains like health, education, public works, sanitation and even water. We believe that if national statistics can be taken into consideration before projects are prioritized, then they will be no need for some regions to complain of marginalization,” Eta insisted.

In a reaction, the fourth deputy mayor of the Buea council, Comfort Ojongkpot decried the lack of relevant information at the institutions website adding that proper research and development can be carried out when statistical data is readily available for the researchers.

Other participants expressed disappointment with the fact that data on pertinent aspects of national life in Cameroon are often gotten from foreign agencies like the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, amongst others, despite the availability of research institutes in Cameroon.

Representing the South West governor at the occasion was the head of division in charge of local development, Fabian Nkengfack who said, statistics, when properly checked can be effective in the monitoring of projects for better performance and the improvement of the living conditions of the population. He enjoined the workers of the institute to ensure the easy availability of statistical data to all without discrimination.