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VI moving like a blind bat; No data to support decisions- Report

- Government lacks statistics for the Banking & Education sectors, and for Criminal & Civil Cases
According to the 2015 Central Statistics Office Department Report, the Statistics Office 'continues to experience some problems with respect to the collection of financial information from the local banking sector.' Photo: VINO
The CSO 2015 Report confirmed that they have been unable to access 'raw' data for the education sector. Photo: VINO/File
The CSO 2015 Report confirmed that they have been unable to access 'raw' data for the education sector. Photo: VINO/File
The 2015 Central Statistics Office Department Report. Photo: VINO
The 2015 Central Statistics Office Department Report. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Virgin Islands is moving ahead; however, it seems like a ‘blind man’ in the dark, without proper statistics or data to inform some vital sectors of the economy and its development.This information was unearthed in the 2015 Central Statistics Office Department Report. The report confirmed that the Statistics Office “continues to experience some problems with respect to the collection of financial information from the local banking sector.”

The report stated that while cumulative data is being collected from the Financial Services Commission (FSC) on assets and liabilities for the industry, “detailed data on areas such as accounts, loans and advances, is needed and is still not available.”

No Court data!

In addition, the report complained about the lack of data on criminal and civil cases. According to the 2015 report, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) stated that they have been unable to complete the arrangements with the Court Manager for the collection of this data.” The report said the last set of complete data collected was for the year 2006.

While we in the media hear a lot of public relations spin about what is going on in the education system, there is no way for the very government and the public to confirm the accuracy of the information because of the lack of raw statistics and data in the education sector.

What is going on in education?

In fact the CSO 2015 Report confirmed that they have been unable to access “raw” data for the education sector. While the Department claimed it received from the Ministry of Education and Culture a compendium of statistics in 2014, the CSO warn that there is still a need to access the “raw” data so that more detailed analysis can be made and other indicators generated for statistical purposes.

What it means then is that without the statistics for these critical areas no government can adequately plan for the budget, and other social development for the country. The Report called on the Administration to strengthen the Statistical Act which came into effect in 2005.

14 Responses to “VI moving like a blind bat; No data to support decisions- Report”

  • Cat Eye (28/04/2017, 15:00) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    No surprise here
  • Ndp the real fake news? (28/04/2017, 15:18) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    So we can no longer trust what the government tell us!
  • Captain Hook (28/04/2017, 19:35) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    that's why these banks getting away with highway robbery
  • CSO (28/04/2017, 23:53) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who knew that a NDP would sink the economy.....except for every serious history book ever written.
  • Captain Hook (29/04/2017, 00:05) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    It’s interesting how Dr. Smith claim that the data shows this and that now we know that it is all fake news...
  • ------------------- (29/04/2017, 00:13) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Come on everybody, be honest. For as long as I can remember, every single Government has not taken the needs for statistics and proper data seriously, but always want to take credit for good economic news!!!
  • Concerned (29/04/2017, 07:11) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    This office is one in name only. Government uses when they can twist numbers to what they want and condemn's it as being wrong or incomplete when numbers are not what they want to hear or show.
  • noticing (29/04/2017, 12:52) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    bulldozing and building like a runaway train. small islands with little room for anything yet stuffing it full of
    more stuff. there is only so much space here, and the place is getting trashed and ever more expensive.
    not good. need to return BVI to previous state. too much!
  • bvi (29/04/2017, 22:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please help us understand, or should we all just dig a hole and hope this government is gone when we surface? In the meantime I'll keep praying!
  • too much (29/04/2017, 23:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The place is over populated. We need to cut back before it is too late.


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