EASTERN PROVINCE 

RWAMAGANA—In a bid to promote analysis and critical thinking, the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) has launched African statistics week, a continental iniative and event aiming to improve decision making.

The launch was presided over by the state minister of economic planning, Monique Nsanzabaganwa in a ceremony held at AVEGA Centre on November 12. Nsanzabaganwa said the week was important for all Rwandese.

"We have to use the data to monitor initiatives in the country, one of them being economic development and poverty-reduction strategies (EDPRS) and the county’s Vision 2020.”

Statisticians were urged to clearly analyze the data in a gender-balanced and sensitive manner. Director of NISR Dr. Louis Munyakazi reminded participants of the year’s theme, "Statistics for EDPRS development,” and highlighted the importance of statistics in the development of the nation.

Asked about the achievements of NISR since its establishment two years ago, Dr. Louis Munyakazi said that a lot had been registered. IN 2006, efforts were concentrated on building capacity. Other achievements since then include gathering statistics on the formal sector.

"We organized national symposium in January, which was very successful and we organized the African Union chart of statistics. Now we have set up the entire baseline data for all the provinces,” he said, adding that NISR has also collected data concerning Genocide survivors.

After presenting data entry for Eastern Province; the same exercise will continue to Southern, Northern and Western Provinces and Kigali City respectively. It is slated to end November 21. Dr. Munyakazi said another important survey on agricultural was going on.

"As you know agricultural contributes almost 40 % of the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is important to know how well we are and where we are in terms of agriculture. And, this will help us to plan for improvement of the productivity of our different crops and be able to sell them.”

Talking about future plans, he said NISR plans to put a program through a geographic information system that will allow anyone in the country to find out the dynamic of every product in the country, including where crops are produced and sold.

Governor Theonest Mutsindashyaka expressed enthusiasm and said he was proud for the launch to have been started in his province. He took an opportunity to thank Gishari sector, which presented good results accurately.

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