Centre, NBS to begin computation of sectoral productivity indices

The National Productivity Centre (NPC) and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) would soon begin the collection, computation and analysis of data required for the determination of national productivity indices of all sectors of the economy. From Collins Olayinka, Abuja

The Director General of NPC, Kashim Akor disclosed this in Abuja when he paid a courtesy visit to the Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr. Yemi Kale.

The Director General stated the Centre recently established a new department for productivity measurement and index in order to intensify work in the area of productivity statistics. He explained that the creation of the department was informed by the need to put in place an up-to-date productivity data bank to guide investment decisions, macro–economic planning and policy decisions.

He solicited the support of the National Bureau of Statistics in the area of access to relevant data and other information for the computation of the productivity statistics, as well as building the capacity of officers of the new department.

In his response the Statistician–General of the Federation, Dr. Yemi Kale, observed that Akor’s visit to the National Bureau of Statistics was historic as he was the first Chief Executive of the Centre to pay a visit to the Bureau. He lauded the various programmes and activities of the Centre that are geared towards productivity improvement in the Nigerian economy.

Dr. Kale said the National Bureau of Statistics would partner with the Centre to enable the attainment of the laudable goals for establishing the new department as well as the actualization of the mandate of the Centre.

The highlight of the visit was the constitution of a Technical Committee comprised officers of the two agencies to identify areas and activities that will ensure that productivity indices of all sectors are released periodically.

In a related development, the Director-General of the Centre has identified productivity as a critical factor that can jump-start Nigeria economy on the path of speedy recovery.

He disclosed this while declaring open a 3-day national workshop on “Enhancing organizational performance through productivity improvement techniques” organized by the Centre in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

He attributed the country’s present economic recession to the poor attitude of Nigerian workers as well as bad governance of the economy over the years.

Though the present government inherited a challenged economy coupled with the diminishing revenue from oil, Nigerians attitude to work, especially in the public sector, has remained a big factor in the present economic predicament the country is facing.

The Director-General stated that productivity improvement is critical and crucial for national development and remains an indispensable factor for improved standard of living and sustainable development.

Akor added that a situation whereby Nigeria is presently 127 out of 138 in the Global Competitiveness Index is not good enough, saying there is urgent need to reverse the trend.