The Statistical Master Plan
Preliminary work on the Strategy for a Master plan for Statistical Development in Southern Sudan (MSDSS) actually started with the JAM process and the frame made by the CPA, the Interim Constitution, and the draft Statistical Act. This groundwork was followed by a Statistical Needs Assessment activity supported by Statistics Norway. During the FY 2006, the 6th June 2006 brainstorming Workshop for Development of a Statistical Master plan in Southern Sudan held with the support of UNDP was a continuation of the process. Based upon the discussions and agreements at the workshop, a draft master plan was prepared by Statistics Norway consistent with the agreements with all stakeholders earlier in June. This draft Master plan was distributed to stakeholders and served as the major input for a new stakeholder workshop arranged by UNDP in cooperation with the Commission and technical assistance from Statistics Norway. The discussions and priorities made during the 7-8 September workshop served as the base for Statistics Norway to assist in developing a plan for the interim period. This draft master plan was discussed at another stakeholder workshop on 7th and 8th December 2006 and arranged by UNDP in cooperation with the Commission and with technical assistance from Statistics Norway.
The draft master plan document addresses several issues that were discussed during the stakeholder workshops conducted and presents a plan accommodating priorities and issues agreed upon during these workshops.
Such strategic issues include how to accommodate both the decentralization as agreed upon in the Interim constitution of the Southern Sudan and the need for common national statistical standards and methods. Even though the Commission will play a leading role in the National statistical system of the Southern Sudan, other institutions have essential roles in the system, such as the Bank of Southern Sudan and various line ministries. Following from this reality, the Master Plan recognizes the need for coordination and division of labor between the various producers in the National Statistical System.
In the Statistical Master plan, the various data sources needed for statistical compilation, such as Censuses, sample surveys, administrative registers and records are discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of the data sources are also discussed.
User needs is an important aspect of a Statistical Master plan. The User needs assessment for the Southern Sudan comprised document review and discussions with Government and donors. The document review was based on policy documents and plans, right from the time of the CPA. In addition, some statistical needs originated from some UN recommendations and the Millennium Development goals. The need for data to monitor poverty reduction strategies is emphasized.
It is not possible to meet all needs assessed during the present planning period. And so some priorities have been set. The priorities are based on the most urgent needs, including but not limited to the need for monitoring the MDG’s and poverty reduction strategies. The need for user consultations/input is stressed.
A work program is proposed, based on these principles. The work program includes, in addition to the implementation of the Population Census, the implementation of an agricultural census and the planning of an economic enterprise census, some basic economic statistics like GDP-estimates and an urban CPI, as well as the planning of annual economic surveys, the establishment of an integrated household survey system and others.
The main focus for the Master plan is the post-Census period, from about mid-2008 till the end of the Interim period in 2010. Hence, if there are any major delays in the census, that will have direct consequences for the implementation of the proposed work program in the Draft master Plan.