Premier: ‘Statistical Data An Indispensable Tool’

Good morning everyone.

I am excited to officially welcome all of you to today’s workshop hosted by the Department of Statistics.

The objective of the workshop is to introduce a National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS).

The NSDS is a strategic planning tool that can help Bermuda coordinate a national effort toward sound policy-making and greater effectiveness in the delivery of public services and programmes.

As an elected official, it is my job to stay in touch with people, to understand the challenges they face, to know their hopes and concerns. It is why I meet every day with people from all walks of life.

But as Premier responsible for the governance of the Island, I can tell you that sound statistical data is an indispensible tool to helping government clarify what’s going on and shape solutions for a better Bermuda.

The theme of this week’s workshop is: Sustainable Development and Progress through Statistical Collaboration.

This is very fitting given the broad challenges we face and the goals we’ve set for the Island.

When the Government came into office last December, we emphasized the need to recover, rebuild and restore the promise of Bermuda for sustainable growth and shared prosperity.

Our progress toward these goals will be less problematic if we have access to sound data. And this is why I am pleased to be here this morning. The work you are embarked on is vital to getting Bermuda back on its feet.

A National Statistical System will help Bermuda achieve its goals by providing us with more information to make evidence-based policies and decisions.

One thing I particularly like about this initiative is the fact that every Bermudian can play a part.

As Premier, I want Bermudians to reach out, collaborate and expand their stake in the Island’s destiny, and the fact is that we can all contribute toward a system that enables more informed decision-making.

The 2015 Census will be one such opportunity, with every Bermudian providing information that will anchor planning and policy-making for years to come.

Public support for this undertaking is critical.

As Premier, I want you to know that the Government fully supports the work for a National Statistical Strategy. I say that for two reasons:

The first is that the strategy will help this government’s commitment to:

• the development and delivery of effective government services
• increased accountability and cost effectiveness in the public sector
• national collaboration; and
• evidence-based policies and decision making.

The second reason we support your work is that it will help all governments going forward. That is something that gives real meaning to the work – helping to build a strong future is what we need to be about.

This workshop will move the development of this strategy forward, and so I look forward to hearing of your progress in the days ahead.

These are exciting times. The stakes could not be higher for Bermuda. Your work can make a significant difference in how this great island goes forward.

Before closing out, I want to take the opportunity to commend the Director of Statistics, Mrs. Valerie Robinson-James, and the Department of Statistics staff for introducing this initiative.

Also, I want to express the Government’s appreciation for the technical support the Department is receiving from CARICOM and the PARIS21 Organization, as well as the support of Chief Statisticians from the Governments of Anguilla and Guyana.

All of you, working together, are poised to make a very positive contribution to the recovery and renewal of Bermuda.

I am encouraged by what I see, by the spirit of collaboration in the room, by the commitment to the Island’s future.

May God bless your deliberations. Thank You.

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