In St. Kitts-Nevis, the venture is presently in the consultancy phase, with a mission to envelope the transformation of the CSO and NSS by the end of 2015. Other ECCU countries have also shown some level of interest in this transformation.
In light of the above-mentioned, one may ask some questions, “Why the urgency of the transition at this particular time?”, “Why is this transformation necessary?”, “How could it benefit the country and the people?”. To address some of these concerns, I would like to outline seven possible reasons for and benefits of the transformation in the sections below.
1.More timely and efficient decision making as a result of less “red tape”: Under the present systems, matters of expenditures often have to pass through several channels before approval could be obtained- Permanent Secretary, Human Resource Management Department, Ministry of Finance, and sometimes the Office of the Prime Minister. But, a detachment of the Statistical Office from the Civil Service and under the control of a Board of Directors facilitates more proficient and well-timed decision-making as it relates to the administration of the Statistical Office.
2.Training of staff is more focused and regular: In many cases, Statistical Offices do not have a budget for training; such element is embedded in the budget of the Human Resource Management Department. The challenge then becomes that the Statistics Department must compete with other Department and line Ministries for the use of these training funds; funds that are often distributed based on a “first come-first serve basis” or priorities of the Government at the time. On the other hand, an independent NSB, having articulated its budget and itemized training expenditure based on its needs, is more readily able to undertake such programmes whether locally, regionally or internationally.
3.More independence, activities not linked to a political agenda: As mentioned earlier, the key mandate of the Statistical Office is producing statistical information in the national interest. In this process, it is essential that the Statistics Office operates and appears to operate with professional independence and serve with high international repute. As a NSB, the Office will function as an impartial and unbiased producer of national statistics for local, regional and international use.
4.Building a professional and diverse staff: Under the Civil Service system, there are set regulations that govern remuneration. These regulations neither readily permit incentivizing new recruits through additional allowances and benefits, nor reward persons based on performance. However, these rewards are necessary at times to attract the “fit-for-job” persons, including young dynamic individuals who may be considering a career in the field of statistics. These persons would in turn aid in building the type of institution that could effectively and efficiently fulfill the statistical mandate. Additionally, the Statistical Office having more control of its human resource is better able to promote gender-balance in the institution- both at the senior and junior levels.
5.More reliable and efficient use of own “equipment and tools of the trade”: The fact that Statistics Departments are one of several Department of a particular Ministry often dictates a sharing of resources- copiers, laptops, office space, and sometimes personnel. However, the creation of a body- separate and apart from a Ministry- means that the procurement of equipment would be based solely on the needs of the CSO, and the operations therein would be centered on the production of good quality statistics.
6.Greater focus on statistics: In yet another aspect, the Statistics Office as Department is in constant competition for scarce financial resources with other Departments and Ministries under Central Government. In reality despite the demand for a wide range of statistical data on the economy, population, and the environment, the support for statistics often takes a “back-seat” to such matters as education, health-care, policing, and infrastructural development- to name few. However as an autonomous body, the goals of the Board of Directors and Management are more focused on the delivery of good quality statistics according to the dictates of society, and adopting the mechanisms to accomplish such. Herein, even if there is a shortfall in Government’s subvention, alternative and new initiatives could/would be developed to maintain the work of the CSO.
7.Promote advocacy: Too often, we hear of the distrust of official statistics being released by an arm of Government and lack of awareness of how statistics could improve the lives of our people. But, critical elements of the CSO’s relevance to society are its engagement with stakeholders and promotion of an awareness of the far-reaching impact of statistics on lives of people. Thus, the image of an independent Statistical Office that supports the socio-economic growth and development in the country and of residents is the best form of advocacy. This trait is important to attract the support of Government, business sector, households, Non-governmental organizations, and regional/international organizations in such forms as co-operation, technical assistance and funding; these benefits could only add to further build on the institution’s strengths and its abilities to effectively take advantage of the opportunities in the field of statistics.
In conclusion, I submit that the proper and holistic solution to the 21st Century challenges facing Statistics Departments is not a reform of processes and procedures, but a transformation of the Statistics Department and National Statistical System. This type of change is neither superficial nor is expected to happen “overnight”; but through a strategically designed and carefully implemented modernization plan- the established independence of the Statistical Office, professionalization of staff, and a more centralized national statistical system- it is a recipe for success. The resulting outcomes are (i) a robust Statistical Office, (ii) proper national statistical system, and (iii) sound national statistics- all vital to the sustainable growth and development of our country and region.
by: Mr. Carlton Phipps
Director of Statistics, St. Kitts & Nevis
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