3. Improvements of the National Forestry Statistics Process
In order to keep any statistical process up to date and respond to the needs of data and information to consumers, there must be a well functioning statistical office with the following objectives (Padovani, 1998):
Collection of the highest quality and most useful data possible
Collection of timely data in a cost effective manner
Production of the most appropriate and accessible data and
Teaching of users on the benefits and methods of using statistical information in order to educated more effectively decision-makers.
Padovani (1998) further suggested that such a statistical office must have the following statistical Information cycle:
The perception of a need for a ‘Decision, Action Policy and Program’
The definition of the problem and information needed to solve it
The information collection is ‘Designed, promoted, conducted and collected’
The information products are produced and released
The information products are promoted and disseminated to users
Using the knowledge gained from the information products, the user makes the decision or initiates the action, policy or program
Feed Back is given on how to improve the existing information.
3.1. Proposals for practical improvement of the system.
From the above, it is obvious that a lot of improvements have to be made in Uganda in order to achieve the above objectives and put in place an information system which is structured in an information cycle as suggested by Padovani. Following are the proposals to improve Uganda’s national statistical process.
Data collection.
Analysis
Dissemination
3.1.1. Proposals for improvement
3.1.1.1. Organisational.
As noted in section 2.4, the main organisation charged with the responsibility of collecting, processing and analysing data on forest products is the Forest department. The office of the Commissioner, through the Biometrics section is the overall in charge of the entire statistical process of forest products statistics. Currently, the biometrics section is poorly staffed and lacks the necessary logistical support for running its day to day tasks. For example, there is only one experienced Forest Officer heading this section with an Assistant Forest Officer. There is no other support staff to beef up these two. The section has only one computer. Although equipped with Microsoft office, other essential statistical packages like SPSS and SAS are lacking. Important measurement tools and equipment such as callipers, diameter tapes, hypsometers and compasses are barely enough. The section has no car, no operational funds etc.
There is no mechanism in place to link with other institution such as local government, and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) which collect data on forest products is hardly in place.
3.1.1.2. Proposal:
Increase the manpower to at least four Forest officers; equip the office with at least 3 more computers with all the necessary software. More importantly, allocate sufficient funds to run the section more effectively. Institutional collaboration on the collection and processing of data on forest products should be put in place
Data Collection and Reporting: A lot of effort should be put in place on part of the entire forest administration to ensure that each and everyone in the hierarchy does his job and report timely information as stipulated in the standing orders. Without this, the gaps and poor quality of data collected shall continue indefinitely in the future.
Logistical supports such as transport, preferably a four-wheeled vehicle, motor cycle or at the very least, bicycles for the forester in charge of field operations must be available, including operational funds for labour, vehicle running costs and basic office running such as stationery.
Essential tools/equipment. It is impossible to collect reliable data without the necessary tools and equipment. Most essential tools and equipment needed are callipers, diameter tapes, hypsometers, weighing scales, and volume tables. Th proposal albeit not new is to provide these essential tools to every forest reserve and District Forest office in order to eliminate crude and in accurate methods of data collection in the field.
Monitoring and control of field operations by DFOs or even Head quarters staff must be revived and ensure that strict discipline is in place
Corruption: With stricter control and monitoring there shall be little room for manipulation of figures. Although the issue of corruption is more complex than sighted here, government has to motivate its civil servant more appropriately in order to avoid temptations into tampering with data and figures. With such measures in place, together with improvements in personal moral attitudes, it is hoped that efficiency in revenue collection should improve and thereby improving the quantity and quality of data on forest products statistics in Uganda
Methodology. The errors in the log volume tables must be rectified immediately and also the indirect estimation of firewood and charcoal should be either improved upon or appropriate conversion tables must be provided at every forest operational area in the whole country.
