By William Madouk
The South Sudan National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and partners launched the first household budget survey on Monday to improve institutional capacity and economic governance.
This survey’s results will be essential in collecting statistics such as the consumer price index (CPI), Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and other socioeconomic indicators.
Dr. Augustino Ting Mayai, Director General of the NBS, stated that the household budget survey (HBS) is planned to gather data on several economic sectors, particularly national production, across ten states and three administrative areas.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Finance, I will officially launch the National Household Budget Survey,” he said
“The Household Budget Survey, expected to generate data for measuring, in particular, prices and understanding our national production, covers the 10 states and three administrative areas of South Sudan. And it’s also expected to cover urban and rural areas across the country,” Mayai added.
The NBS chief said the government had faced a problem due to a lack of trustworthy empirical data.
“One of the challenges underscored by two colleagues that South Sudan faces, is the absence of reliable more recent empirical data on a variety of sectors and this hinders formulation of policies that are supposed to be impactful across the board,” Mayai added.
The last national representative household budget survey was conducted in 2009, prior to the country winning independence from Sudan in 2011.
Mayai pointed out that the World Bank and other institutions offered existing statistical data through high-frequency surveys conducted in only seven states and three administrative areas.
“Therefore, it is essential to fill this gap, and to fill this gap the launch of the house budget survey and subsequent research activities scheduled for it are dedicated to strengthening the statistical system for improved statistical capacity of the country and governance,” he said.
Mohamed Abchir, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in South Sudan, said the country’s policymaking procedures continue to be hampered by a lack of credible statistical data.
“Addressing these challenges is essential for evidence-based decision-making and effective governance. UNDP, in close partnership with NBS, is working to confront these challenges head-on,”
Abchir stated that the national household budget survey is a flagship initiative of the African Development Bank-funded institutional assistance project for promoting economic governance in South Sudan.
He stressed the need of having high-quality statistical data to help the government plan, track, and deliver on the priorities specified in the reinvigorated national development strategy and other strategic framework.
“The project focuses on three core outputs: The first one is strengthening data and statistical system, enhancing parliamentary oversight capacity, and finally, institutionalizing public investment programs,” he disclosed.
Themba Bhebhe, AfDB country manager in South Sudan, said the 10-million-dollar household budget survey was meant to support public finance management reforms, improve budget framework and efficiency, and reduce economic and political fragility.
“The support includes technical assistance in providing strengthening capacity to generate and disseminate innovative knowledge that will guide policy, strategy, and development,” said Bhebhe.
The National Household Budget Survey is launched under the theme “Strengthening the National Statistical System for Improved Statistical Capacity and Economic Governance