By Adrian Frater, News EditorWESTERN BUREAU:
THE STATISTICAL Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), which is in the sixth month of an eight-month islandwide House-hold Expenditure Survey (HES), yesterday called on householders and businesses not to shy away from providing the data being sought as it is key to the nation's policy-making process.
"We need the data to inform our action and reactions," said STATIN's Director of Field Services Merville Anderson, while addressing participants at a parish dialogue for Western Jamaica held in Montego Bay. "The dramatic changes being brought about by the information revolution must not be allowed to overwhelm us. If we are unprepared for the formidable demands and competitiveness in today's world we could be excluded."
PERTINENT INFORMATION
In a bid to determine why, despite their best effort, the response to the survey has been low, Mrs. Anderson said STATIN has isolated some four keys areas, which is believed to be the main reasons behind the reluctance to readily provide information. They are: the time factor; format and content of documents; fear of exposure; and the frequency of visits.
However, in noting that the information collected would be confidential, STATIN's Director of Administrative Statistics Monica Bartley emphasised the importance of the data, noting that it would provide pertinent information on a range of issues spanning income, household expenditure and household characteristics, which are important for proper planning of the nation's business.
"The HES provides data that assist in measuring the economic well-being of the population and provides information on individuals and household control over economic resources," said Ms. Bartley. "Government bodies and policy makers use the results from surveys for purposes of planning and developing social assistance programmes where necessary as well as to evaluate the impact of existing programmes."
Teachers, religious leaders and business leaders attended yesterday's dialogue, which is second in a series. Through ideas generated from an organised group discussion, various ideas were advanced as to how STATIN could interface with the different stakeholders.
