Statistics enable planning in province: Dr Munzverengwi

MARONDERA- The Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Aplonia Munzverengwi says the relevance and importance of statistics in devolution planning cannot be overstated.

These statistics, she said, enable authorities to understand the unique needs of districts, devise strategies that align with those needs and monitor the effectiveness of interventions that are needed in each and every area.

Dr Munzverengwi made these remarks in a speech read on her behalf by the director of economic development for Mashonaland East province, Gilbert Dzvuke, at a Dissemination of the 2022 Population and Housing Census, District Profiles and Provincial Gross Domestic Product Estimates workshop held in Marondera recently.

The workshop’s main objective was to underscore the importance and relevance of statistics, specifically population and housing census data I driving evidence-based decision making at the provincial level.

By focusing on these statistics, provinces can identify key sectors for growth and target interventions more effectively, ultimately fostering economic prosperity in the province.

She said: “We have invited you all here today because we firmly believe that successful devolution planning hinges upon a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the socio-economic fabric of our province. By exploring the population and housing census data sheets and profiles, we will gain invaluable insights into the demographic makeup, housing conditions, educational levels and socio-economic indicators within our province.

“This vast pool of data serves as a rich resource when it comes to planning and policy formulation in areas such as healthcare, infrastructure, education and economic development. By sharing knowledge and harnessing the power of statistics, we can unleash the full potential of devolution and work towards a brighter future of our nation.”

Addressing the same meeting, Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency Demography and Social Statistics director Aluwsio Mukavhi underscored the importance of the accumulated data to provinces.

He said: “The main purpose of this workshop is to give back what was found in the census in as far as provincial demographic statistics are concerned so that province could be able to use those statistics for devolution planning and other relevant uses.

“We are here to disseminate the results of the provincial census profile for Mashonaland East. The dissemination process is ongoing to other provinces. The census is not complete u less its results are disseminated to our users for their consumption.”

Rongedzayi Fambasayi, the United Nations Children Education Fund Zimbabwe’s (UNICEF) programmes officer-local governance hailed the efforts by ZIMSTAT in producing the essential statistics including the census data and GDP figures.

“ZIMSTAT’s dedication to digging deeper into the census data, particularly at the local level is admirable and appreciated. These efforts help us gain a better understanding of the specific challenges faced and of the needs of the children in Zimbabwe as well as the opportunities for positive change. This knowledge also allows us to tailor our interventions to better support the National Development Strategy 1, the Devolution Agenda and Vision 2023.

“In addressing the complex issues faced by our society, collaboration ad partnerships are paramount. The partnership between ZIMSTAT and UNICEF is a great example of how working together can yield valuable results. Today’s validation of the Census 2022 data sheets is a testament to this collaboration, enabling us to identify areas with lagging child indicators. This insight will guide our efforts, ensuring that we focus on the most deprived areas where our interventions can have the greatest impact,” Fambasayi said.