THE National Statistics Office (NSO) plays the vital role of collecting national statistical data.
This data collection is in line with the Statistics Act 1970 (Amendments 2007) and the Census Act 1959.
Acting Government Statistician Samson Kanamoli highlighted the vital role of NSO as per the national governing laws and the importance of the data collection work it will carry out under the newly launched Capacity-building in Statistics and Audit (CAPSA) Project.
He was speaking at the launch of the CAPSA Project at the Solomon Kitano Mendana Kitano Hotel in Honiara last Thursday.
The CAPSA Project implementing agencies are Office of Auditor General (OAG) and NSO.
The key component for this project is Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2024 to 2025 and the National Economic Establishment Census (NEEC) 2024.
Mr Kanamoli said NSO is mandated by the Government of Solomon Islands to undertake the National Statistics Development Strategy for the development of Statistics.
These are the major mandates that will be carried out by NSO to collect the national statistics:
1. Data collection;
2. Data processing;
3. Data analysis and report writing; and
4. Data dissemination.
Mr Kanamoli highlighted that the National Economic Establishment Census (NEE) is a new initiative that will be implemented by the NSO Economic Unit in the Ministry of Finance and Treasury with the guidance of NSO management.
“This establishment census will supply the most up to date NSO business registry, complement the Business survey data and provide the data gap for national and GDP production,” he added.
And the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2024 to 2025 will be implemented by NSO Census and Survey Unit with the support of Social and Demography Unit.
These are the survey objectives of HIES:
- Rebase of the consumer price index;
- Rebase and updating of GDP;
- Capture some components and key indicators of Sustainable; and Development Goals (SDGs), 1 to 10.
This HIES data will also see the production of the Poverty Analysis report and Poverty Mapping of Solomon Islands afterwards.
By LACHLAN SHYVES EDDIE
Solomon Star, Honiara
