Dr. Augustino Ting Mayai, Chairperson of South Sudan National Bureau of Statistics. (-)

The head of South Sudan National Bureau of Statistics (SSNBSS) said the institution has never carried out any data collection or analysis since the 2010 population census due to funding shortage.

SSNBSS has previously struggled with funding shortage and repeatedly appealed to the government to provide money for data collection across the country.

Dr. Augustino Ting Mayai stated that the situation has restricted the government agency from capturing data on the newborns and the dead as well as establishing a crime database.

According to Dr Ting, the Bureau of Statistics has also been unable to monitor and evaluate any social impacts associated with investments.

“The NBS (SSNBSS) has not done any work associated with data collection or analysis since 2010. There are no resources to make this happen,” Dr. Ting said.

He was appointed by President Kiir after the latter sacked Dr. Isaiah Chol Aruai, who, in 2021, commissioned a satellite-based population estimate, which ranked Warrap State as having the highest population in South Sudan.

“It is the task of the Bureau to leverage whatever resources are available at the ministerial level, at the agency’s level, and also the international community to the country need to establish crime database.”

“There are also different sources of data and statistics, so if you get married today, your record should go into the vital statistics system. If someone dies at the hospital, or somebody is born, that should go into a vital statistics system. This information is crucial, especially for welfare planning.”

SSNBSS works to collect, analyze and publish all official statistics on economic, social, demographic, environmental and general activities and conditions of the people of South Sudan

The body also conducts all censuses and surveys that are carried out throughout South Sudan, and monitor and evaluate social impacts of public policies, projects and programs.