Lack of data collection affecting work of National Task Force

Aug 22, 2017 News

As the National Task Force Commission (NTFC) continues to execute its mandate under ‘Project Restore Guyana’, one of the Commission’s greatest challenges is dealing with the lack of data recorded at government agencies.
During a recent press conference, Chairman of the NTFC, Major General (Ret’d) Joe Singh was asked what are some of the challenges the Commission is experiencing while carrying out its mandate. He said that the lack of data is one of the major problems.
“If I ask the average community or NDC (Neighbourhood Democratic Council), how many persons are actually homeless within your community? Would they be able to tell me? How many persons are unemployed? How many persons are single parent families who need support, who need counselling and guidance. How many persons are drug addicted? So it has to start in data collection. One of the challenges we have is the lack of data”
Singh indicated that it would be difficult obtaining certain information from government agencies, whether it is the amount of persons suffering from hypertension, diabetes and chronic ailments among others. He stressed that such information needs to be documented. He recommended that institutions such as the University of Guyana can play an important role in this regard.
Further, he said that change comes with challenges. He explained that outside of there being a lack of data, the NTFC has to contend with matters of personality issues and officials “guarding their turf zealously,” and not wanting to share information. He said that this creates a slow process, but the Commission does not plan to give up.
Singh recounted that sometime in the past, the NTFC had invited the then-Mayor of Georgetown Hamilton Green, along with members of other agencies with relevant responsibility, to discuss a variety of matters.
Singh said that agencies such as the Sea and River Defence, Ministry of Public Infrastructure, National Trust, Protected Areas Commission, among others, all have a role to play in developing Guyana, since a lot of the work overlaps with the mandates of the various agencies.
He said that the NTFC is forced to deal with attitudes and having to help people break out of the mind-set that they have to be protective of their respective agencies and the work they are required to do.
Singh emphasised that persons have to recognise the need for integrated planning for proper consultation, and this involves getting the public on board and dealing with various agencies in Georgetown.
As a result, Singh opined that the NTFC has to play a catalytic role to facilitate dialogue and consultation to bring people together to look at joint implementation and maintenance.
According to Singh, the goals of Project Restore Guyana involves the NTFC looking at issues relating to Drainage, Traffic Management, Solid Waste Management and derelict vehicle removal, sustainable urban, rural and hinterland physical structure renewal, welfare management of the homeless and the re-branding of Guyana through the restoration of ethical, attitudinal and responsible social and environmental behaviour by all citizens.

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