The arrangement, described as an Inter-Ministerial Committee, was unveiled in Abuja, yesterday, with a mandate to ensuring harmonisation of data collection and evaluation for the country. She also disclosed that the inter-ministerial committee would serve as the clearinghouse and focal authority for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government for data collection, authentication and publication. The mandate also includes ensuring national standards for data collection, evaluation and publication, as well as regular provision of guidance to all MDAs and other stakeholders, who engage in data collection, analysis and publication for policy formulation, implementation and monitoring. “The establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Committee has become imperative to develop the production of national statistics and avoid data production duplication,” the Minister stated. The inter-ministerial committee is also expected to submit half-yearly reports to the Minister of Finance for necessary briefing of Mr. President.

Source: The Guardian January 24, 2018 02:26 UTC