Section 10, The Statistics Act, 2002

(1) The object for which Statistics Sierra Leone is established is to serve as the central authority for the collection, processing, analysis and dissemination of accurate, clear, relevant, timely and high quality statistical information on social, demographic, economic and financial activities to serve the needs of users, including government and the general public. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), it shall be the responsibility of Statistics Sierra Leone to- (a) supervise and manage a national population census to be conducted every ten years or at such shorter interval as may be determined by the President; (b) review and approve all definitions and classification schemes employed in statistical work with particular reference to issues of No. 13 Statistics Act 2002 9 labour statistics, gender, disability, regional and similar socio-economic issues in accordance with appropriate national and international standards and classifications; (c) ensure the efficient and comprehensive collection, processing, analysis, documentation and storage of statistical information throughout Sierra Leone; (d) compile, report and document statistical data as well as maintain libraries or archives of statistical publications and make them accessible to the public; (e) impartially disseminate statistical information to government departments, other institutions and the general public; (f) establish and maintain such offices in Sierra Leone necessary for the operations of Statistics Sierra Leone; (g) promote co-ordination and integration of statistical activities of data collecting agencies including the Bank of Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Finance in accordance with recognised international technical standards in order to advance the quality, consistency, comparability and optimum use of official statistics and to avoid unnecessary duplication; (h) create public awareness of statistical collection and other activities related to the collection of statistics; 10 No. 13 Statistics Act 2002 (i) designate statistics produced by Statistics Sierra Leone or other institutions as 'official statistics'; (j) promote and develop statistical training; (k) protect respondents from undue burden and breaches of confidentiality; (l) furnish the Minister each year with a report in respect of the activities of Statistics Sierra Leone during that year, which report the Minister shall table before Parliament, and (m) do all other things that may promote the object of Statistics Sierra Leone stated in subsection (1). (2) Statistics Sierra Leone may, at any time by writing, delegate to any person or authority any power conferred or duty imposed on Statistics Sierra Leone by this Act and impose conditions for such delegation. [Margin: Independence of Statistics Sierra Leone.]