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Turks and Caicos Islands Statistical Authority Celebrates Caribbean Statistics Day
#TurksandCaicos, October 23, 2023 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Statistics Authority joined its regional counterparts in celebrating the fifteenth anniversary of Caribbean Statistics Day on October 15, 2023. The Statistics Authority felt that the most appropriate way to mark this occasion was by attending a Church service at the Community Fellowship Centre alongside Pastor Bradley Handfield, who serves as the Chairman of the Board.
The observance of this day underscores the crucial role that statistics play in advancing the collective vision of enhancing the lives of the people within the Caribbean Community. This year’s Caribbean Statistics Day theme is
The Honorable E. Jay Saunders, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, delivered remarks. Hon. Saunders emphasized the significant role played by the Authority in the TCI, which is often overlooked by many. He highlighted that numerous government decisions are rooted in the information provided by this Authority, which has a significant impact in shaping official decision-making. He commended the Authority as unsung heroes and fully supported the team.
Pastor Bradley’s sermon centred on the sacred notion of love and provoked profound reflections on our duties towards fellow beings – loving our neighbour irrespective of circumstances. He harnessed that essence in honour of World Statistics Day by drawing a poignant analogy to the poverty line, a statistical indicator. He stressed that in TCI, there are persons below, on, and above the line. In a powerful message, he underscored that we should not seek to form a church with just those persons who are high above the poverty line, but he admonished us that we should show love to our neighbours regardless of where they fall on the poverty line and should seek to help those that are below or on the poverty line. It reiterated that loving transcends any economic or social barrier, embodying the true spirit of the church and humanity itself.
In his brief remarks, the Director of the Statistics Authority, Mr. Shirlen Forbes Jr. appealed to residents, households, and the business community to establish a cooperative relationship with the Statistics Authority. He emphasized that such collaboration is essential for ensuring the availability of necessary data to support the development process. Mr. Forbes encouraged data providers to actively participate by sharing information when requested, as it would significantly contribute to informing national planning and establishing a solid foundation for the future of these Islands.
Additionally, he expressed gratitude on behalf of the Authority to Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance Hon. E. Jay Saunders Permanent Secretary of Finance Mrs. Athenee Harvey-Basden for their contributions towards the Authority reaching this stage.
For more information on the Statistics Authority, please visit our website: https://gov.tc/stats. Facebook Page: TCI Statistics Authority or Instagram: statstci.