Accurate Data Critical to Effective Planning, Development – Ekiti Commissioner

 

The Ekiti State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Femi Ajayi, has stressed the importance of accurate and reliable data to effective planning and development in the state.

Ajayi spoke at the training of field officers for the computation of the State's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2024 and 2025, held at Lady Jibowu Hall in Ado-Ekiti.

He urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), private sector operators and other stakeholders to cooperate with the field officers and provide the accurate information required for the exercise.

The exercise, which is aimed at strengthening evidence-based planning and policy formulation, followed a stakeholders' sensitisation meeting held in Ado-Ekiti

The State Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, charged the enumerators to carry out the assignment with dedication, professionalism and accuracy.

She said the quality of the data collected would determine the reliability of the final GDP figures, and urged the field officers to adhere strictly to established procedures.

Earlier, the State Statistician-General, Mrs Dolapo Dasola Ojo, described the exercise as a significant step towards strengthening the state's statistical system and promoting evidence-based governance.

Ojo said the computation would give the government reliable information on the size, structure and performance of the state's economy, and help identify sectors that require further intervention.

She said the state's GDP rose from N879.33 billion in 2013 to N4.46 trillion in 2023, and was projected to reach N7.1 trillion in 2025 when the informal sector was included.

According to her, the computation covers agriculture, education, trade, investment and cooperatives, construction and services, arts, culture and tourism, health, accommodation and other productive activities.

Ojo urged all stakeholders to support the exercise by providing credible information, stressing that reliable data remained essential for effective planning and sustainable development in Ekiti.

She added that the outcome of the exercise would further enhance the government's capacity to make informed decisions and formulate policies that promote economic growth and development in the state.