statistics act 9 of 2011

N$15.20 WINDHOEK-18August2011 No.4777

GOVERNMENT GAZETTEOF THE

REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA

CONTENTSPage

GOVERNMENT NOTICE

No.148 PromulgationofStatisticsAct,2011(ActNo.9of2011),oftheParliament................. 1________________

Government Notice

OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

No.148 2011

PROMULGATIONOFACTOFPARLIAMENT

ThefollowingActwhichhasbeenpassedbytheParliamentandsignedbythePresidentintermsoftheNamibianConstitutionisherebypublishedintermsofArticle56ofthatConstitution.

No.9of2011: StatisticsAct,2011._______________

2 GovernmentGazette18August2011 No.4777

Act No. 9, 2011 STATISTICS ACT, 2011

ACTTo provide for the development of the National Statistics System and provide

for its components and objectives; to establish the Namibia Statistics Agency and the Board of the Namibia Statistics Agency and provide for their powers and functions; to establish the National Spatial Data Infrastructure and provide for its objectives, to establish the Committee for Spatial Data and provide for its functions; and to provide for incidental matters.

(Signed by the President on 2 August 2011)

ARRANGEMENTOFACT

PARTIPRELIMINARY

1. Definitions

PARTIINATIONALSTATISTICSSYSTEM

2. DevelopmentofNationalStatisticsSystem3. ComponentsofNationalStatisticsSystem4. PurposeofNationalStatisticsSystemandprinciplesofstatistics5. ObjectivesandadministrationofNationalStatisticsSystem

PARTIIINAMIBIASTATISTICSAGENCY

6. EstablishmentofAgency7. FunctionsandPowersofAgency

PARTIVBOARDOFNAMIBIASTATISTICSAGENCY

8. EstablishmentofBoard9. PowersandfunctionsofBoard10. FiduciarydutiesofBoard11. ConstitutionofBoard12. Governanceandperformanceagreements13. TermofofficeofmemberofBoard14. DisqualificationsforappointmentasmemberofBoard15. RemovalofmemberofBoard16. VacationofofficeandfillingofvacanciesonBoard17. CommitteesofBoard18. DisclosureofinterestsbymembersofBoard19. MeetingsanddecisionsofBoard20. RemunerationandallowancesofmembersofBoardandcommittees21. PowersofMinister22. RulesbyBoard23. Statistician-GeneralandotherstaffmembersofAgency

No.4777 GovernmentGazette18August2011 3


24. PerformanceagreementsofmanagementstaffofAgency25. RemunerationofmanagementandotherstaffofAgency26. ActingStatistician-General

PARTVFINANCIALPROVISIONS

27. FundsofAgency28. Financialyear29. BusinessandfinancialplanofAgency30. Accountingandauditing31. Annualreport32. ExemptionofAgencyfromtaxes,dutiesandlevies33. WindingupofAgency

PARTVICOORDINATIONOFNATIONALSTATISTICSSYSTEM

34. CodeofPractice35. Statisticalco-ordination36. Standards37. Designationofstatisticsasofficialstatistics

PARTVIIPOWERSTOOBTAININFORMATION

38. Formsforcollectionofinformation39. Requesttoprovideinformationvoluntarily40. Noticetoprovideinformation41. Serviceofnoticesandotherdocuments42. Rightofaccessforstatisticalpurposes43. Administrativepenalties

PARTVIIICONFIDENTIALITYANDDISSEMINATIONOFINFORMATION

44. Prohibitionofdisclosureofinformation45. OathofSecrecy46. Disseminationandrightofaccess

PARTIXNATIONALSPATIALDATAINFRASTRUCTURE

47. EstablishmentandobjectivesofNationalSpatialDataInfrastructure48. CommitteeforSpatialData49. FunctionsofCommitteeforSpatialData

PARTXGENERALPROVISIONS

50. Sampling51. Meetingsofstatisticiansandusersofstatistics52. Delegationofpowersandassignmentoffunctions



53. Preservationofsecrecy54. Limitationofliability55. OffencesinconnectionwithAgency56. Generaloffences57. Religiousbeliefsorpoliticalconvictionsinformation58. Regulations59. Repealoflaws60. Savingsandtransitionalprovisions61. Shorttitleandcommencement

SCHEDULE1 Mattersonwhichstatisticsmaybecollected,producedordisseminated SCHEDULE2 OathofOfficeandSecrecy

BE IT ENACTED bytheParliamentoftheRepublicofNamibia,asfollows:

PARTIPRELIMINARYPROVISIONS

Definitions

1. InthisAct,unlessthecontextotherwiseindicates-

“Agency”meanstheNamibiaStatisticsAgencyestablishedbysection6.

“authorisedofficer”means-

(a) anemployeeoftheAgencyappointedtocarryoutanyfunctionunderthisAct;

(b) anypersondesignatedasanauthorisedofficerbytheStatistician-General;

“Board” meanstheBoardoftheAgencyestablishedbysection8;

“community”meansasetofentities,whetheranimateorinanimate,withinafieldofenquiryconcerningwhichstatisticalinferencesmaybedrawn;

“dissemination”meansthepublication,saleorprovisionofofficialorotherstatistics,spatialdataorrelateddocumentationinanymannerorformeitherdirectlyorindirectly;

“document” means any form, record, questionnaire, schedule, letter, memorandum,report,computerprintout,microfiche,microfilm,electronicallystoredfile,oranyothersimilarwritten or electronic information required or provided for the purposes of astatisticalcollection,orinconnectionwithofficialorotherstatistics,and“documentation”hasasimilarmeaning;

“geospatialdata”meansgeoreferenceddatapertainingtothelocationofgeographicalentitiestogetherwiththeirspatialdimensionspresentedintheformofprintedmaps,charts,andpublications,indigitalsimulationandmodellingdatabases,inphotographicform,orintheformofdigitizedmapsandchartsorattributedcenterlinedata;

“governmentbody”means-

(a) anyorganoftheState;



(b) anoffice,anagencyoraministryasdefinedinsection1ofthePublicServiceAct,1995(ActNo.13of1995);

(c) alocalauthoritycouncilasdefinedinsection1oftheLocalAuthoritiesAct,1992(ActNo.23of1992);

(d) aregionalcouncilasdefinedinsection1oftheRegionalCouncilsAct,1992(ActNo.22of1992);

(e) astatutorybodyestablishedbyanActofParliament;or

(f) anyotherbodyestablishedbylawforapublicpurpose;

“metadata”meansadescriptionofthecontent,quality,conditionandothercharacteristicsofstatisticalorspatialdata;

“microdata”meansdescriptionofinformationatthelevelofindividualrespondentsandcontainsvariablesrecordedseparatelyforeverypersonwhoresponds;

“Minister”means theDirector-General ofPlanning appointed underArticle 32(3)(i)(dd)oftheNamibianConstitution;

“NSDI”meanstheNationalSpatialDataInfrastructureestablishedbysection47;

“officialstatistics”meansstatisticsdesignatedasofficialstatisticsbytheStatistician-Generalundersection37;

“prescribed”meansprescribedbyregulation;

“regulation”meansaregulationmadeunderthisAct;

“researchinstitution”meansanyinstitutionconductingresearchintoanymatterreferredtoinSchedule1,andincludesanypersonwhoconductssuchresearch;

“respondent”means-

(a) anyindividual,personorhouseholdinrespectofwhomorwhich;or

(b) anygovernmentbody,undertakingorotherorganizationinrespectofwhoseactivitiesoraffairs,

anyinformationorrecordissoughtordocumentisprovidedforpurposesofastatisticalcollectionintermsofthisAct;

“sampling”means a statistical procedure bywhich information relating to an entirecommunity is derived by applying statistical techniques to information obtained inrespectofaportionofsuchcommunity;

“spatial data” means the information that identifies the geographic location andcharacteristicsofnaturalorconstructedfeaturesandboundariesontheearth,derivedfrom remote sensing, global positioning systems, geographic information systems,cartographictechniques,geo-codedstatisticalinformation,computeraideddesign,totalgroundstationsorothersurveyingtechniquesandincludesgeospatialdata;



“standards”meansthestandardsmadeintermsofthisAct;

“statisticalcollection’meanstheprocessof-

(a) undertaking-

(i) anycensus,otherthanacensusreferredtoinparagraph(b),orsurveyinrespectofanymatterreferredtoinSchedule1;

(ii) thecollationofadministrativedocuments,informationorrecords;or

(iii) thestorageofinformation,

for the collection, production and dissemination of official statistics, butexcludesthecollection,productionanddisseminationofstatisticalinformationordatabyapersonstrictlyforprivateuse;

(b) undertakingapopulationorhousingcensus;or

(c) undertakingacollectionofspatialdataforstatisticalpurposes;

“Statistician-General”means the person appointed as the Statistician-General undersection23;

“statistics” means aggregated numerical information relating to demographic,economic, financial, environmental, social or similar matters, at national, regionalor local level, which is compiled and analyzed according to relevant scientific andstatisticalmethodology,and includes statisticsonspatialdata, available indigitalorotherapplicableformat;

“statisticsproducer”includestheAgencyoranygovernmentbodythatproducesstatisticsandwhereaprivateorinternationalorganizationobtainedapprovalintermsofsection35(5)toconductastatisticalcollection,suchprivateorinternationalorganization;

“survey”meansastatisticalcollectioninrespectofanymatterreferredtoinSchedule1wherebyinformationiscollectedfromanentirecommunityorfromasamplethereof,whollyorprimarilyforstatisticalpurposes;

“thisAct”includestheregulationsandthestandards;

“traininginstitution”meansanyinstitutiondeliveringtertiaryeducation;

“undertaking”meansanyundertakingbywayofatradeorbusinesswhetherornotthetradeorbusinessiscarriedoutforprofit,andincludesagovernmentbody,andanyotherformoforganizationorbodyofpersonsoranypartthereofandincludesabranchofanundertaking;and

“users of statistics” includes government bodies, private sector entities, researchers,researchinstitutions,traininginstitutions,internationalorregionalorganisations,oranyotherpersonmakinguseofstatistics.



PARTIINATIONALSTATISTICSSYSTEM

Development of National Statistics System

2. There is developed a National Statistics System comprising thecomponentsreferredtoinsection3andtheirinterrelationsin-

(a) the provision of documents and other information for the purposeand in connection with the compilation, production, analysis anddisseminationofofficialandotherstatistics;

(b) theuseofofficialandotherstatistics;

(c) the research and development of statisticalmethods and techniques;and

(d) thetraining ofstatisticians.

Components of National Statistics System

3. ThecomponentsoftheNationalStatisticsSysteminclude-

(a) statisticsproducers;

(b) respondents;

(c) usersofstatistics;

(d) researchinstitutions;and

(e) traininginstitutions.

Purpose of National Statistics System and principles of statistics

4. (1) ThepurposeoftheNationalStatisticsSystemistheundertakingofstatisticalcollectionsandthecompilation,production,analysisanddisseminationofofficialandotherstatistics.

(2) Officialstatisticsmustbe-

(a) relevant,accurate,reliableandtimely;

(b) objectiveandcomprehensive;

(c) compiled,producedandanalyzedinascientificandtransparentmanner;

(d) disseminatedimpartially;

(e) accessible;

(f) inaccordancewithappropriatenationalandinternationalstandardsandclassifications;and



(g) sensitive to distribution by gender, disability, region and similarsocioeconomicfeatures.

Objectives and administration of National Statistics System

5. (1) TheobjectivesoftheNationalStatisticsSystemareto-

(a) buildcoordinatedandsustainablecapacityforthecollection,production,analysisanddisseminationofstatisticsinaccordancewiththeUnitedNationsFundamentalPrinciplesofOfficialStatistics;

(b) ensuretheprotectionoftheconfidentialityofinformationprovidedbyarespondent;and

(c) promotetheuseofstatisticsfor-

(i) evidence-basedplanninganddecision-making;

(ii) policydesign;

(iii) monitoringandevaluationofpoliciesanddecision-making.

(2) TheNationalStatisticsSystemmustbeadministeredandcoordinatedinaccordancewithsections34to37,inclusive,toensurethatitsobjectivesarecarriedoutin–

(a) acost-effectiveandefficientmanner;and

(b) accordancewithitspurposeandthestatisticalprinciplesreferredtoinsection4(2).

PARTIIINAMIBIASTATISTICSAGENCY

Establishment of Agency

6. (1) There is established a juristic person to be known as theNamibiaStatisticsAgencywhichisthecentralrepositoryforallstatisticsproducedinNamibia.

(2) TheAgencyiscapableof–

(a) suingandbeingsued;

(b) entering into contracts and performing all such acts for the properperformance of its functions under this Act whichmay lawfully beperformedbyajuristicperson;

(c) purchasingorotherwiseacquiring,holding,charginganddisposingofproperty;

(d) insure itself against any loss, damage, risk or liabilitywhich itmaysufferorincur;



(e) borrowingmoneytoamaximumamountapprovedbytheMinister;

(f) acceptinganymoneyorgoodsdonatedorbequeathedtoit;and

(g) appointingemployeestoassistitintheperformanceofitsfunctions.

(3) Withoutderogatingfromthegeneralityofsubsection(1),theAgencymustestablishacentralizedsystemofstatisticalcollectioninthemannerasprescribedwithdueregardto-

(a) the employees of the Agency and other associate professionalsemployedbyanentityreferredtoinparagraphs(a),(b),(c)and(d)ofthedefinitionof“governmentbody”;

(b) thesecondmentofemployeesoftheAgencytoagovernmentbody;and

(c) thetrainingofemployeesoftheAgencyandotherassociateprofessionalscontemplatedinparagraph(a).

Functions and powers of Agency

7. (1) ThefunctionsoftheAgencyare-

(a) toconstitutethecentralstatisticalauthorityfortheState;

(b) tocollect,produce,analyseanddisseminateofficialandotherstatisticsinNamibia;

(c) to facilitate the capture, management, maintenance, integration,distributionanduseofspatialdata;

(d) todevelopandcoordinatetheNationalStatisticsSystemandtheNSDI;and

(e) toadvisetheMinisteronmattersrelatedtoofficialandotherstatistics,whetherofitsownaccordorattherequestoftheMinister.

(2) TheAgencymust-

(a) formulatefortheapprovaloftheMinister-

(i) thenationalstatisticspolicyofNamibiainaccordancewiththeUnitedNations Fundamental Principles ofOfficial Statisticsand ensure its implementation, monitoring and periodicevaluation;

(ii) subjecttosection49(3),theNSDIpolicyofNamibiasettingouttherequirementsandguidelinesforthecollection,processing,integrating, storing, distribution, and improved access andutilisationofspatialdataandservices;

(b) determineandexercisefinal responsibility regarding the formulationandimplementationofitsworkprogram,including-



(i) the collection, production, analysis and dissemination ofofficialstatisticsinaccordancewiththepurposeoftheNationalStatisticsSystemandthestatisticalprinciplescontemplatedinsection4(2);

(ii) subject to thisAct, the timeswhenandthemanner inwhichstatistical collections are undertaken and the form of anydocumentpertainingthereto;

(iii) thecoordinationanddevelopmentoftheNSDItofacilitatethecapture, management, maintenance, integration, distributionanduseofspatialdata;

(iv) themannerinwhichstatisticalinformationandspatialdataareprocessed,documentedandstored;

(v) theform,extentandtimingofthedisseminationofstatisticalinformation;

(vi) developmentworkinstatisticsandspatialdata;or

(vii) thediscontinuanceofa statisticalcollectionora spatialdatacollectionforstatisticalpurposes;

(c) actingonitsownorincollaborationwithagovernmentbodyorprivatesectororinternationalorganization-

(i) undertake statistical collections, and produce, analyze anddisseminateofficialorotherstatisticsinconsequencetosuchstatisticalcollections;or

(ii) after consultation with the Committee for Spatial Data,facilitate thecapture,management,maintenance, integration,distributionanduseofspatialdata;

(d) causeapopulationandhousingcensustobetakenevery10yearsonadatedeterminedbytheMinisterbynoticeintheGazette,unlesstheMinister,ontheadviceoftheStatistician-GeneralandbynoticeintheGazette,determinesotherwise;

(e) ensureco-ordinationoftheoperationofgovernmentbodiesinthe-

(i) collection,production,analysisanddisseminationofstatistics;or

(ii) capture, management, maintenance, integration, distributionanduseofspatialdata,

withparticularregardto-

(aa) the avoidance of duplication in the undertaking ofstatistical or spatial data collections so as to reducerespondentburdenandminimisecosts;



(bb) the attainment of compatibility between and theintegration of statistics compiled by the Agency onbehalfofgovernmentbodies;

(cc) the maximum possible utilization of statisticalinformationandspatialdataavailable togovernmentbodies;

(f) subjecttosubsection(1),undertakeastatisticalcollectionoraspatialdatacollectionforstatisticalpurposeswhendirected todosoby theMinister;

(g) collect,produce,analyzeanddisseminatestatisticsinconsequencetoapopulationandhousingcensusreferredtoinparagraph(d);

(h) establish and maintain registry documentation, library services andappropriatedatabasesasmaybenecessaryfor-

(i) thecollection,production,analysisordisseminationofofficialandotherstatistics;and

(ii) thecapture,management,maintenance,integration,distributionanduseofspatialdata,afterconsultationwiththeCommittee;

(i) maintainaninventoryofofficialstatisticsandspatialdatainNamibia;

(j) ensurecompliancewiththestandardsmadeintermsofsection 36;

(k) providestatisticalservicesandassistancetousersofstatistics;

(l) facilitatetheintegrationandcomparisonofofficialandotherstatisticsproducedbothnationallyandinternationally;

(m) assistusersofstatistics,wherereasonablypossible, toobtainofficialstatisticsofcountriesotherthanNamibia;

(n) liaisewithnationalandinternationalorganisationsonmattersrelatingtostatisticsorspatialdata;

(o) disseminateinformationtoandeducatethepublicaboutthefunctionsoftheAgencyandthepurposeanduseofstatisticsandspatialdata;

(p) doanythingelse-

(i) thattheAgencyisrequiredorauthorisedtodounderthisActoranyotherlaw;or

(ii) whichisnecessaryorexpedienttodotoachievethepurposeofthisAct.

(3) TheAgencymay-

(a) acceptcommissionedstatisticalworkandconcludeserviceagreementswithanypersonforthatpurpose;



(b) establishandmaintainsuchofficesinNamibiaastheAgencyconsidersnecessary,havingregardtoobjectivesoftheNationalStatisticsSystemandtheNSDIandtheprinciplesofstatisticsreferredtoinsection4(2);

(c) subjecttothisAct,concludeservice-levelagreementsormemorandaofunderstandingbetweentheAgencyandagovernmentbodyorprivateorinternationalorganizationsforthepurposeofstatisticalandspatialdatacollections.

(4) SubjecttothegeneralcontroloftheBoard,thefunctionsoftheAgencyareperformedby theStatistician-Generaland itspowersareexercisedby theBoardsubjecttothisAct.

(5) Despite this Act, a person may not interfere with the Statistician-Generalinconnectionwith-

(a) themannerinwhich,andthetimewhen,astatisticalcollectionistobeundertaken;

(b) the capture, management, maintenance, integration, distribution anduseofspatialdatacollectedforstatisticalpurposes;

(c) theform,extentandtimingofthereleaseofofficialorotherstatistics;

(d) whetherastatisticalcollectionshouldbediscontinued;or

(e) thecompilation,production,analysisordisseminationofastatisticalcollection.

(6) Apersonwhocontravenessubsection(5)commitsanoffenceand isliabletoafinenotexceedingN$50000ortoimprisonmentforaperiodnotexceedingfiveyears,ortobothsuchfineandsuchimprisonment.

PARTIVBOARDOFNAMIBIASTATISTICSAGENCY

Establishment of Board 8. ThereisestablishedaboardtobeknownastheBoardoftheNamibiaStatisticsAgencytoadministerandcontroltheaffairsoftheAgency.

Powers and functions of Board

9. (1) TheBoardmustensurethatithasandmaintains–

(a) effective, efficient and transparent systems of financial and riskmanagementandinternalcontrol,includingasystemofinternalaudit;and

(b) an appropriate procurement and provisioning system which is fair,equitable,transparent,competitiveandcosteffective.



(2) TheBoardmusttakeeffectiveandappropriatestepsto–

(a) ensurethecollectionofallrevenueduetotheAgency;and

(b) preventirregularexpenditure,fruitlessandwastefulexpenditure,lossesresultingfromcriminalconduct,andexpenditurenotcomplyingwiththeoperationalpoliciesoftheAgency.

(3) TheBoardmusttakeeffectiveandappropriatedisciplinarystepsagainstanystaffmemberoftheAgencywho–

(a) contravenesorfailstocomplywiththeprovisionsofthisAct;

(b) commits an act which undermines the financial management andinternalcontrolsystemoftheAgency;or

(c) makesor permits any irregular expenditureor fruitless andwastefulexpenditure.

Fiduciary duties of Board

10. (1) TheBoardmust-

(a) exercisethedutyofutmostcaretoensurereasonableprotectionoftheassetsandrecordsoftheAgency;and

(b) act with fidelity, honesty, integrity and in the best interests of theAgencyinmanagingitsfinancialaffairs.

(2) AmemberoftheBoardmaynot–

(a) actinawaythatisinconsistentwiththeresponsibilitiesoftheBoardintermsofthisAct;or

(b) usethepositionorprivilegesof,orconfidentialinformationobtainedas,amemberoftheBoard,forpersonalgainortoimproperlybenefitanotherperson.

Constitution of Board

11. (1) TheBoardconsistsof-

(a) theStatistician-Generalwhoisamemberbyvirtueofhisorheroffice;and

(b) six members appointed by the Minister after consultation with thePresidentandinaccordancewithsubsection(2).

(2) A person to be appointed under subsection (1)(b) must possessknowledge and experience in governance, statistics, information technology, spatialdata,economics,laworrelatedfieldsofexpertise.

(3) TheMinistermustappointthechairpersonoftheBoardfromamongstitsmembers.



(4) TheBoardmustatitsfirstmeetingelectavice-chairpersonfromamongitsmembers,andthevice-chairpersonexercisesthefunctionsofthechairpersonduringanyperiodthechairpersonisunabletoexercisehisorherfunctions.

(5) TheMinistermust notify by notice in theGazette the names of thepersons appointed as members of the Board, and their term of office and date ofappointment.

Governance and performance agreements

12. TheMinister,within30daysoftheBoardbeingconstituted,mustenterintoawrittengovernanceandperformanceagreementwiththeBoard.

Term of office of member of Board

13. Amemberof theBoardholdsofficefora termof threeyearsandiseligibleforreappointmentupontheexpiryofhisorhertermofoffice.

Disqualifications for appointment as member of Board

14. ApersondoesnotqualifyforappointmentasmemberoftheBoardiftheperson–

(a) isnotaNamibiancitizenorlawfullyadmittedtoNamibiaforpermanentresidence,anddoesnotresideinNamibia;

(b) isanunrehabilitatedinsolvent;

(c) hasbeenconvictedofanoffenceinvolvingdishonestyandsentencedtoimprisonmentwithouttheoptionofafine;or

(d) isamemberofParliament,aregionalcouncilorlocalauthoritycouncil.

Removal of members of Board

15. (1) TheMinistermayremoveanyappointedmemberoftheBoardfromoffice,iftheMinisterissatisfiedthatthemember-

(a) isincapacitatedbyphysicalormentalillness;

(b) is guilty of misconduct which in the opinion of the Minister issufficientlyserious;or

(c) for whatever valid reason is incapable of effectively and efficientlyperformingthefunctionsasmember.

(2) TheMinistermayonlyactundersubsection(1)afterhavingaffordedthememberanopportunitytobeheard.

Vacation of office and filling of vacancies on Board

16. (1) The office of an appointed member of the Board becomesvacantifthemember-



(a) becomessubjecttoanydisqualificationreferredtoinsection14;

(b) resignsbynoticeinwritingaddressedanddeliveredtotheMinister;

(c) is absent from three consecutivemeetings of theBoardwithout theleaveofthechairpersonoftheBoard;or

(d) isremovedfromofficebytheMinisterundersection15.

(2) IfanappointedmemberoftheBoarddiesorvacatesoffice,thevacancymustbefilledbytheappointmentofasuitablepersoninaccordancewithsection11.

Committees of Board

17. (1) SubjecttosuchtermsofreferencetheBoardmaydetermine,theBoard-

(a) mustappointafinanceandauditcommittee;

(b) mayappointoneormorecommitteesto-

(i) advise theBoard on suchmatters relating to its powers andfunctionsasitmayrefertothecommittee;or

(ii) assisttheBoardintheexerciseandperformanceofsuchpowersandfunctionsoftheBoardasitmaydelegateorassigntothecommittee.

(2) TheBoardmayappointasamemberofacommitteeanypersonwhoisorisnotamemberoftheBoard,butatleastonememberofacommitteemustbeamemberoftheBoard.

(3) If a committee consists of more than onemember, the Boardmustdesignateamemberofthecommitteeaschairpersonofthecommittee.

(4) TheBoardisnotabsolvedfromresponsibilityfortheperformanceofanyfunctionsentrustedtoanycommitteeunderthissection.

(5) Thechairpersonofacommitteepresidesatmeetingsofthecommitteeorinhisorherabsencethemembersofthecommitteeinattendanceatameetingmustelectamembertopresideatthemeeting.

(6) Thequorumatameetingofacommitteeisthemajorityofthemembersofthecommittee.

(7) A decision taken by or an act performed under the authority of thecommitteeisnotinvalidbyreasononlyof–

(a) avacancyonthecommittee;or

(b) the fact that a personwho is not entitled to sit as amember of thecommitteesatassuchamemberatthetimethedecisionwastakenortheactwasauthorised,



ifthedecisionwastakenortheactwasauthorisedbythemajorityofthemembersofthecommitteewhowerepresentatthetimeandentitledtovote.

(8) ThepersonpresidingatameetingofacommitteemustcausearecordtobekeptoftheproceedingsofthemeetingandmustcausethatrecordtobesubmittedtotheBoardassoonaspossibleafterameetingofthecommittee.

(9) TheBoardmayatanytimedissolveorreconstituteacommittee.

Disclosure of interests by members of Board

18. (1) AmemberoftheBoardmust-

(a) disclosetotheBoardanydirectorindirectpersonalorprivatebusinessinterest that themember or any spouse or partnermay have in anymatterbeforetheBoard;and

(b) withdrawfromthemeetingwhenthematterreferredto inparagraph(a)isconsidered,unlesstheBoard,afterhavingconsideredthematter,directs that themember’s direct or indirect interest in thematter istrivialorirrelevant.

(2) Adisclosurebyamemberinaccordancewithsubsection(1)andthedecision takenby the remainingmembers inconnectionwith thedisclosuremustberecordedintheminutesofthemeeting.

(3) A member who contravenes or fails to comply with subsection (1)commitsanoffenceandisliabletoafinenotexceedingN$2000ortoimprisonmentnotexceedingaperiodofsixmonths,ortobothsuchfineandsuchimprisonment.

Meetings and decisions of Board

19. (1) TheMinistermustconvenethefirstmeetingoftheBoardandthereafter,subjecttosubsection(2),meetingsmustbeheldatsuchtimesandplacesastheBoarddetermines,butatleastfourmeetingsmustbeheldineachyear.

(2) ThechairpersonoftheBoardmayatanytime,andmustifsorequestedinwritingbytheMinisterorbyamajorityofmembers,conveneaspecialmeetingoftheBoard.

(3) ThemajorityofallthemembersoftheBoardformaquorumatmeetingoftheBoard.

(4) ThechairpersonoftheBoardpresidesatmeetingsoftheBoardor,inhisorherabsence,thevice-chairpersonor,intheabsenceofboththechairpersonandthevice-chairperson,thememberspresentatameetingmustelectfromamongsttheirnumberamembertopreside.

(5) AdecisionofthemajorityofthememberspresentatameetingoftheBoardconstitutesadecisionoftheBoardand,intheeventofanequalityofvotes,thememberpresidingatthemeetinghasacastingvoteinadditiontoadeliberativevote.

(6) AdecisionoftheBoardoranactperformedundertheauthorityoftheBoardisnotinvalidonlybyreasonof-



(a) avacancyontheBoard;or

(b) thefactthatapersonnotentitledtositasamemberoftheBoardwasinattendancewhenthedecisionwastakenoractauthorized,

ifthedecisionwastakenoractwasauthorizedbyamajorityofthememberswhowerepresentandentitledtovoteatsuchmeeting.

(7) SubjecttothisAct,theBoardmayregulateitsproceduresthatmustbefollowedatmeetingsoftheBoard.

(8) TheBoardmustcauseproperminutestobekeptofproceedingsatitsmeetings.

(9) The Board may invite any person whose presence is in its opiniondesirabletoattendandtoparticipateinthedeliberationsofameetingoftheBoard,butsuchpersonhasnorighttovote.

(10) Despitesubsection(5),awrittenresolutionnotpassedatameetingoftheBoardbutobtainedbyothermeansandsignedbythemembersoftheBoardatthattimepresentinNamibiaandsufficienttoconstituteaquorum-

(a) isasvalidandeffectualas if ithadbeenpassedatameetingof theBoarddulyconvenedandconstituted;and

(b) mustberecordedintheminutesofthenextmeetingoftheBoard.

Remuneration and allowances of members of Board and committees

20. (1) TheremustbepaidtoamemberoftheBoardoramemberofanycommitteewhoisnotinthefull-timeemploymentoftheStatesuchremunerationandallowances, includingsubsistenceand travelallowances,outof the fundsof theAgencyastheBoard,withtheconcurrenceoftheMinister,maydetermine.

(2) TheBoardmayreimburseanymemberoftheBoardoramemberofanycommitteeforsubsistenceandtravellingexpensesreasonablyincurredbyhimorherwhileattendingameetingoftheBoardorofacommittee.

Powers of Minister

21. (1) TheBoardmustconsultwiththeMinister-

(a) in the exercise of powers conferred upon and the performance offunctions imposedupontheBoardbyorunder thisActoranyotherlaw,iftheMinistersodirect;and

(b) in connectionwith anymatter that theBoardwishes to bring to theattentionoftheMinister.

(2) IftheMinisterafterconsultationwiththeBoardisoftheopinionthatthe policies being pursued by theAgency are not adequate for or conducive to theachievementsoftheobjectivesoftheNationalStatisticsSystem,theMinister,bynoticeintheGazette,mayissueapolicydirectivetobeadoptedbytheAgencysettingout–



(a) theessentialpolicyreasons;and

(b) specifyingtheperiodduringwhichsuchpolicymustbeimplementedbytheAgency.

(3) TheAgencymust,duringthespecifiedperiod,giveeffecttothepolicyasdeterminedbytheMinister.

Rules by Board

22. TheBoardmaymakerulesregarding-

(a) themannerinwhichmeetingsofanycommitteearetobeconvened,theprocedureatandthequorumforthemeetingsandthemannerinwhichminutesofthosemeetingsmustbekept;

(b) the operational management of the affairs of the Agency and theeffectiveexecutionofitsfunctions;and

(c) generally, any matter which the Board may consider necessary orexpedienttoregulateinordertoachievetheobjectsofthisAct.

Statistician-General and other staff members of Agency

23. (1) SubjecttothisAct,theBoardwiththeapprovaloftheMinistermust-

(a) appoint a suitably qualified person with knowledge and experiencein statistics, information technology, economicsand relatedfieldsofexpertisetobetheStatistician-GeneraloftheAgency;

(b) determinethetermsandconditionsofserviceandotherbenefitsfortheofficeoftheStatistician-General.

(2) TheStatistician-General-

(a) istheChiefExecutiveOfficeroftheAgency;

(b) holdsofficeforatermoffiveyears,andiseligibleforreappointmentattheendofthatterm;and

(c) isresponsibletocarryoutthefunctionsoftheAgencyandthedecisionsoftheBoardsubjecttothegeneralcontrolandsupervisionoftheBoard.

(3) Apersondoesnot qualify for appointment asStatistician-General ifsuchperson-

(a) isnotaNamibiancitizenorlawfullyadmittedtoNamibiaforpermanentresidence,anddoesnotresideinNamibia;

(b) isanunrehabilitatedinsolvent;and

(c) hasbeenconvictedofanoffenceinvolvingdishonestyandsentencedtoimprisonmentwithouttheoptionofafine;or



(d) isamemberofalocalauthoritycouncil.

(4) TheStatistician-Generalmay,beforetheexpirationofhisorhertermofoffice-

(a) be removed from office by the Board with the concurrence of theMinisterongroundsofmisconductorinabilitytoefficientlydischargethefunctionsofhisorheroffice,subjecttotherulesofnaturaljustice;or

(b) resignfromofficebygivingawrittennoticeofresignationofnotlessthanthreemonthstotheBoard.

(5) TheBoardmustappointthemanagementstaffoftheAgencyasitmayconsidernecessary toassist theStatistician-General in theperformanceofhisorherfunctionswithdueregardtosection6(3).

(6) The Statistician-General, after consultation with the Board, mustappointthenon-managementemployeesoftheAgencytoassisttheStatistician-Generalintheperformanceofhisorherfunctionswithdueregardtosection6(3).

Performance agreements of management staff of Agency

24. (1) Subject to section 23(1), the Statistician-Generalmust enterintoaperformanceagreementwiththeBoard.

(2) Subject to section 25(1), the Statistician-General must require themanagementstaffoftheAgencytoenterintoperformanceagreementswiththeAgency.

(3) Theagreementscontemplatedintermsofsubsection(1)and(2)mustsetout,amongothers–

(a) thetermsandconditionsofappointment;

(b) objectivestobeachievedandthetimeframeforachievementthereof;and

(c) measuresnecessarytoevidencesuchachievement.

(4) FailureonthepartoftheStatistician-GeneraloranymanagementstaffmembertocarryoutthetermsofaperformanceagreementconstitutesagroundforhisorherdismissalfromtheserviceoftheAgency,subjecttotherulesofnaturaljustice.

Remuneration of management and other staff of Agency

25. (1) The Board, with the concurrence of the Minister, mustdeterminetheconditionsofservice,remunerationandotherbenefitsofthemanagementstaffoftheAgencyinaccordancewiththedirectiveslaiddownundersection4oftheState-ownedEnterprisesGovernanceAct,2006(ActNo.2of2006).

(2) The Statistician-General, after consultation with the Board, mustdetermine the remuneration and other conditions of service of the non-managementemployeesof theAgency, includingconditionsof service in respectofmedical aid,housingandpensionbenefits.



Acting Statistician-General

26. (1) IftheofficeoftheStatistician-Generalisvacantorifheorsheisunableforanyreasontoperformthefunctionsofhisorheroffice,theBoardmustappointanotherpersonwithappropriateknowledgeorexperiencetoactasStatistician-Generalduringsuchvacancyorinability.

(2) ApersonactingasStatistician-Generalintermsofsubsection(1)maynotactforaperiodofmorethansixmonths,buttheBoardmayforsufficientreasonextendsuchappointmentforafurtherperiodnotexceedingsixmonths.

(3) ApersonappointedasActingStatistician-Generalwhilethatofficeisvacantisentitledtothesalaryattachedtotheofficefortheperiodthatheorshesoacts.

(4) Subsection(2)doesnotapplyifduetoofficialdutiestheStatistician-General is temporarily absent fromhis or her office, inwhich case the Statistician-GeneralmustappointamanagementstaffmembertoactasStatistician-General.

PARTVFINANCIALPROVISIONS

Funds of Agency

27. (1) Apart frommoneys thatParliamentmust appropriate for thepurposesoftheAgency,thefundsoftheAgencyinclude-

(a) moneysaccruingtotheAgency-

(i) throughtheperformanceofcommissionedstatisticalwork;

(ii) throughpaymentstotheAgencyforitsservicesandproducts;

(iii) bywayofanydonation,grantorbequest;

(iv) fromanyothersource.

(b) administrativepenaltiesimposedonanypersonintermsofthestandardsorsection43;and

(c) moneysborrowedbytheAgency.

(2) Details of anydonationor bequest receivedby theAgencymust bespecifiedintheannualreportoftheBoardreferredtoinsection31.

(3) TheAgencymustutilizeitsfundsforthepaymentofexpensesincurredbytheAgencyintheperformanceofitsfunctionsintermsofthisActorforanymatterinconnectionwithorincidentaltotheimplementationofthisAct.

(4) TheBoardmustopenandmaintainwithabankorbanksregisteredintermsoftheapplicablelawinNamibiaorthePostOfficeSavingsBankestablishedbythePostandTelecommunicationsAct,1992(ActNo.19of1992)-

(a) an account into which all monies payable to the Agency must bedeposited;and



(b) a reserve account intowhich surplusmoney of theAgencymay bedepositedandfromwhichanyinvestmentscontemplatedinsubsection(7)maybemade.

(5) Theobjectsof thereserveaccountcontemplatedinsubsection(4)(b)are- (a) toprovideforunforeseendemandsontheAgency;and (b) tomakeprovisionforstatisticalcollectionsandspatialdata

collectionsforstatisticalpurposes.

(6) TheBoardmustdeterminetheamountstobeheldinthereserveaccountandmayauthorisepaymentsfromthereserveaccount.

(7) The Board may, after consultation with theMinister invest surplusmoneydepositedintermsofsubsection(4)withdueregard-

(a) tothemaintenance,growthandpreservationofthefundsoftheAgency;and

(b) totheeconomicandcommercialviabilityofanyinvestments.

Financial year

28. ThefinancialyearoftheAgencyendson31Marchineachyear.

Financial plan of Agency

29. (1) TheAgencymust,atleast60daysbeforethecommencementof its next financial year, or a later date determined by theMinister, submit to theMinisterforapprovalafinancialplan.

(2) TheAgencymaynot,inrespectofitscoreadministrativeexpenditureinanyfinancialyear,budgetorspendanamountexceeding15percentofitsestimatedrevenueforthatfinancialyear,unlessotherwiseapprovedbytheMinister.

Accounting and auditing

30. TheStatistician-Generalmust–

(a) keepfullandproperaccountsandrecordsofallmoneysreceivedorexpended by the Agency and of all assets, liabilities and financialtransactionsoftheAgencyduringthefinancialyearoftheAgency;

(b) cause the accounts and records referred to in subsection (1) to beauditedannuallybyapersonregisteredasanaccountantandauditorundersection23ofthePublicAccountants’andAuditors’Act,1951(ActNo.51of1951),andappointedbytheAgency.

Annual report

31. (1) TheBoardmustassoonaspossible,butnot later than threemonths after the end of each financial year, submit to theMinister in respect of afinancialyear-



(a) audited financial statements and a report of the auditor on thosestatements;and

(b) areportontheactivitiesoftheAgencyduringthatfinancialyear.

(2) Theannualreportandfinancialstatementsreferredtoinsubsection(1)must–

(a) fairlypresentthestateofaffairsoftheAgency,itsbusiness,financialresults,performanceagainstpredeterminedobjectivesanditsfinancialpositionattheendofthefinancialyearconcerned;

(b) includeparticularsof–

(i) anymateriallossesthroughcriminalconductandanyirregularexpenditure and fruitless and wasteful expenditure thatoccurredduringthefinancialyear;

(ii) anycriminalordisciplinary steps takenasaconsequenceofsuch lossesor irregularexpenditureor fruitlessandwastefulexpenditure;

(iii) anylossesrecoveredorwrittenoff;and

(iv) anyothermatterthatmaybeprescribed.

(3) TheMinistermust cause to be tabled in theNationalAssembly theauditedfinancialstatementsandreportsreceivedbyhimorherundersubsection(1)-

(a) within30daysfromthedateofreceiptthereof,iftheNationalAssemblyistheninordinarysession;or

(b) iftheNationalAssemblyisnottheninordinarysession,within30daysaftercommencementofitsnextordinarysession.

Exemption of Agency from taxes, duties and levies

32. No incomeoranyother tax,dutyor levy imposedunderany law ispayablebytheAgency.

Winding up of Agency

33. TheAgencymaynotbewoundupexceptbyorundertheauthorityofanActofParliament.

PARTVICOORDINATIONOFNATIONALSTATISTICSSYSTEM

Code of Practice

34. (1) Inordertoestablishandmaintainpublicconfidenceinofficialandotherstatistics,theStatistician-GeneralmustissuebynoticeintheGazetteaCodeofPracticesettingoutprofessionalandethicalstandardsapplicabletostatisticsproducers.



(2) Withoutlimitingthegeneralityofsubsection(1),theCodeofPracticemayimposerequirementswithrespecttoanyofthefollowing- (a) ethical and professional standards that must be adhered to in the

collection,production,analysisanddisseminationofstatistics;

(b) measures to ensure the optimum quality and the comparability ofofficialandotherstatistics;

(c) measures tominimizeunnecessaryoverlappingorduplication in thecollection,production,analysisanddisseminationofstatistics.

(3) TheStatistician-GeneralmayadviseanystatisticsproducerregardingtheapplicationoftheCodeofPracticereferredtoinsubsection(1).

Statistical co-ordination

35. (1) Subject to this Act, only the Statistician-General maycommenceastatisticalcollectionorvaryordiscontinueanystatisticalcollection.

(2) Despiteanythingtothecontraryinanyotherlaw-

(a) apersonmaynotauthorisethecommencementofastatisticalcollection;and

(b) agovernmentbodymaynotcommenceastatisticalcollection,

without the approval of theMinister acting after consultation with the Statistician-General.

(3) TheMinister,bynoticeintheGazette,subjecttosuchconditionsasheorshespecifies,maydeterminethatsubsection(2)doesnotapplytoagovernmentbodyinanyspecificinstanceorclassofinstances.

(4) Atthefinalisationofanystatisticalcollectioncontemplatedinsubsection(2),thepersonorgovernmentbodyconcernedmustwithoutchargeprovidetheAgencywith the datasets and copies of the report of the statistical collection, including anystatisticsproducedintheprocess.

(5) Aprivateorinternationalorganisationmaynotconductanystatisticalcollection,otherthanmarketresearchandfeasibilitystudiesrequiredforthepurposesof market analyses, except with the approval of the Minister on the advice of theStatistician-General,subjecttosuchconditionsastheMinisterdetermines.

(6) IftheMinistergivesanapprovalundersubsection(5),theprivateorinternational institutionconcernedmustwithoutchargeprovide theAgencywith thedatasets and copies of the report of the statistical collection, including any statisticsproduced.

(7) Despiteanyotherlawtothecontrary,forthepurposesofassistingtheAgencyintheperformanceofitsdutiesimposedbythisAct,theheadofanygovernmentbodymust-



(a) within the prescribed period after the commencement of this Act,supply the Agency with information it may request regarding anyspatialdata,officialorotherstatisticsforwhichthatgovernmentbodyisresponsible;

(b) advisetheAgencyfromtimetotimeofanysubstantialchangesintheinformationthathasbeensosupplied;

(c) granttheAgencyoranyauthorizedofficerunhinderedaccess,withoutcharge,tosuchspatialdata,statisticsorstatisticalinformationordataofthegovernmentbodyastheAgencyrequests;

(d) allow theAgencyoranyauthorizedofficer tocopy,without charge,any spatial data, statistics or statistical information or data of thatgovernmentbody.

(8) Subject to subsection (9), theStatistician-Generalmay enter into anagreementwith-

(a) theheadofagovernmentbodyinrespectofstatisticalinformationordatawhichthegovernmentbodyhasauthoritytocollect;

(b) anyentityother thanagovernmentbodyengaged incollecting suchstatisticalinformationordata.

(9) Theagreementreferredtoinsubsection(8)issubjecttothefollowingconditions-

(a) the collection of statistical information or data must be undertakeneitherbytheAgencyorjointlybytheAgencyandthegovernmentbodyorotherentityreferredtoinsubsection(8);

(b) subject to paragraph (c) and section 44, the resulting statistics orinformationmustbeexchangedbetweenthepartiesorsharedwiththeotherparty;

(c) ifinformationhasbeensuppliedbyanyrespondentwhogivesnoticeinwritingtotheStatistician-Generalthatheorsheobjectstotheexchangeorsharingofthatinformationbytheparties,thatinformationmaynotbesoexchangedorshared;

(d) every employee of the government body or entity referred to insubsection(8)engagedinanysuchjointcollectionor towhomsuchstatistics or information is made available, must take an oath ofconfidentialitysimilar to thatprovidedfor inSchedule2 to thisAct,whetherornotheorshehastakenanoathofconfidentialityintermsofanyotherlaw.

(10) TheStatistician-Generalmay-

(a) at his or her own instance or at the request of the Board or theMinisterreviewandcommentonthecollection,production,analysis,documentation, storage, dissemination, interpretation and use ofstatisticsorspatialdataofanygovernmentbody;and



(b) after consultationwith the head of the government body referred toin paragraph (a), publish any such statistics or spatial data and itscomments thereon as theStatistician-General considers necessary orappropriate.

Standards

36. (1) The Statistician-General, by notice in the Gazette, afterconsultationwiththeBoardmaymake-

(a) statisticalstandardsrelatingto-

(i) thecriteriaandtheclassificationandcertifyingproceduresforthedesignationofstatisticsasofficialstatistics;

(ii) methodsforconvertingdocuments,informationanddataintoofficialorotherstatistics;

(iii) the quality criteria with which statistical collections andstatisticsmustcomplywith;

(iv) theformandnatureofdocuments,informationandrecordstobe furnished and collected in theundertakingof a statisticalcollection;

(v) the persons to whom documents must be furnished forcompletion and from whom documents, information andrecordsmust be collected in the undertaking of a statisticalcollection;

(vi) accesstostatisticsandstatisticalinformationforthepurposesofstatisticalcollections;

(vii) the requirements and protocols that must be complied withbeforemicrodatamaybeaccessedforresearchpurposes;

(viii) record-keeping,includingthemannerinwhichmetadatamustbe documented in accordance with standardised metadatasystems;

(ix) anyothermatternecessaryfororincidentaltotheundertakingofstatisticalcollections;and

(b) subjecttosection49(3),standardsrelatingtotheNSDI,inparticular-

(i) themannerandspecificationforthecapturingofspatialdata,includinganyapplicationforexemptionfromsuchmannerorspecification;

(ii) measures relating to the avoidance of duplication of captureandsafeguardingtheintegrityofcapturedspatialinformation;

(iii) thesharingandintegrationofspatialdata;



(iv) thecaptureandpublishingofmetadata;

(v) mannerand refusalofaccess toanddisseminationof spatialdata;

(vi) supplyofandaccountabilityforspatialdata;

(vii) agreementsontheutilizationofspatialdata;

(viii) maintenanceofandreportingonspatialdata;and

(ix) securityofspatialdata.

(2) Thestandardsreferredtoinsubsection(1)mayprovideadministrativepenaltiesasprescribedbytheMinisteronanypersonwhocontravenesorfailstocomplywithaprovisionofsuchstandards.

Designation of statistics as official statistics

37. (1) TheStatistician-Generalmaydesignateasofficialstatisticsanystatisticsorclassofstatisticsproducedfromstatisticalcollectionsby-

(a) theAgency;or

(b) anygovernmentbody,afterconsultationwiththeheadofthegovernmentbodyconcerned.

(2) Adesignationreferredtoinsubsection(1)mustbeinaccordancewith-

(a) the purpose of the National Statistics System and the statisticalprinciplesreferredtoinsection 4(2);and

(b) such other criteria as the Statistician-General may provide in thestandards.

PARTVIIPOWERSTOOBTAININFORMATION

Forms for collection of information

38. (1) The Statistician-General must prescribe the standardsdocuments and form andmanner of submission of such documents and instructionsnecessaryforthecompletionofsuchdocumentsasmaybenecessaryforthecollectionofinformation,dataorrecordsunderthisAct.

(2) AdocumentsubmittedtoarespondentforcompletionmustspecifythedateorperiodwithinwhichthecompleteddocumentsoradditionalinformationasmayberequiredmustbereturnedtotheAgency.

Request to provide information voluntarily

39. (1) TheStatistician-Generaloranyauthorizedofficer,inrespectofstatisticalcollection,mayrequestanypersonto-



(a) completeadocument;

(b) answeranyquestion;or

(c) provideanyinformationorrecords,

onavoluntarybasis.

(2) Any information obtained under subsection (1) is subject to therestrictionsonuseandprohibitionondisclosureofinformationintermsofsection 44.

(3) Despite any law to the contrary, a personmayprovide a document,informationorarecord,oracopythereof,thepersonmaypossess,totheAgencyorauthorizedofficerifsorequestedundersubsection(1).

Notice to provide information

40. (1) In achieving any of the objectives of theNational StatisticsSystem,theStatistician-Generalmaybynoticeinwritingdirectanyrespondentorotherpersondesignatedinthestandardsto-

(a) completeand returnadocument inaccordancewithany instructionscontainedinthenoticeorotherwisecommunicatedtotheperson;

(b) answeranyquestionaskedofhimorherbyanauthorizedofficer;or

(c) provideanyrecord,copyoforextractfromanyrecord,byaspecifieddateorwithinaspecifiedperiod.

(2) Thenoticereferredtoinsubsection(1)mustspecifyinparticular–

(a) thegeneralnatureoftheinformationrequired;

(b) thefrequencywithandthetimebywhichitistobeprovided;

(c) thepersonsorclassesofpersonsrequiredtoprovideit;and

(d) thesectionoftheActunderwhichthenoticeisserved.

Service of notices and other documents

41. (1) AnynoticeordocumentdeliveredbyanauthorizedofficerissufficientevidencethatitwasdulyissuedanddeliveredbyoronbehalfoftheAgency,untilthecontraryisproved.

(2) Anoticeordocumentreferredtoinsubsection(1)mustbedeliveredinpersonbyanauthorizedofficerormailedbyregisteredpostorelectronicmail.

Right of access for statistical purposes

42. Anauthorizedofficermayatallreasonabletimes,onproductionofhisorhercertificateofappointment,enteranypremisesforthepurposesof-

(a) deliveringanoticeundersection41(2);



(b) deliveringdocumentsorcollectingdocuments,informationorrecords;or

(c) makinganysuchinquiriesasheorsheisauthorizedtomakeunderthisAct.

Administrative penalties

43. (1) TheStatistician-GeneralmayimposeanadministrativepenaltyprescribedbytheMinisteronanypersonwho–

(a) withoutgoodreasonfailstocomplywithanoticeissuedundersection40or41;or

(b) refusesor fails tocompleteanydocumentorprovide informationorrecordrequiredforthepurposesofastatisticalcollection,

by delivering to such person a written notice of intention to impose administrativepenalty.

(2) ApersonaggrievedbyadecisionoftheStatistician-Generaltoimposeonsuchpersonanadministrativepenaltyreferredtoinsubsection(1)orintermsofthestandardsmayappealagainstthedecisiontotheMinister.

(3) Theappealmustbeintheformofawrittenstatement-

(a) containing a full descriptionof the subjectmatter of the decision towhichtheappealrelatesandthegroundsofappeal;and

(b) submittedtotheMinisterwithin30daysofreceiptofthenotificationofthedecisiontoimposetheadministrativepenalty.

(4) Uponreceiptoftheappeal,theMinistermusttransmitacopythereofto the Statistician-General, who must forthwith furnish theMinister with a writtenstatementofthereasonsforthedecisiontoimposetheadministrativepenalty.

(5) After consideration of the statements referred to in subsections (3)and (4) and of such other evidence, information or representations as theMinistermayconsiderrelevantormayrequire,theMinistermayconfirm,varyorsetasidethedecisiontoimposetheadministrativepenalty.

(6) TheMinistermustassoonasreasonablypossiblenotifytheappellantinwritingofhisorherdecisionontheappeal.

PARTVIIICONFIDENTIALITYANDDISSEMINATIONOFINFORMATION

Prohibition of disclosure of information

44. (1) Adocument,aninformationorarecordprovidedtotheAgencyoranyotherbodyauthorisedbytheMinistertoundertakeastatisticalorspatialdatacollection or obtained from administrative records and that relates to an individual,household,governmentbody,undertakingoranyotherorganisation,maynotbe-



(a) disclosedtoathirdparty;

(b) admitted as evidence in legal proceedings, except for purposes ofcriminalproceedingsintermsofthisAct;or

(c) disclosedtoagovernmentbodyfornon-statisticalpurposes.

(2) Adocument,aninformationorarecordobtainedintermsofthisActmay not be published or disseminated in amannerwhich permits the identificationof a specific individual, household, undertaking or other organisation, unless theperson,household,undertakingororganisationconsentsinwritingtothepublicationordisseminationinthatmanner.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to documents, information orrecordsaboutanindividual,household,undertakingororganisation-

(a) alreadypublishedoravailableonadatabaseaccessibletothepublic;or

(b) for whose publication or dissemination the individual, household,undertakingororganisationgavewrittenpermission.

Oath of Secrecy

45. Apersonemployedincarryingoutanyof theprovisionsof thisActmusttaketheOathofOfficeandSecrecyprescribedinSchedule2,inthecaseof-

(a) anemployeeoranycontractedperson,beforetheStatistician-General;or

(b) theStatistician-General,beforethechairpersonoftheBoard;

(c) membersofcommittees,beforethechairpersonoftheBoard;

(d) membersoftheBoard,beforetheMinister,

priortocommencingwithanyfunctionrelatingtotheprovisionsofthisAct.

Dissemination and right of access

46. (1) Subjecttosection44, statisticsproducerscollectingstatisticsunder thisActwhile using public fundsmust produce, disseminate andmake themavailableandaccessibletousersofstatisticsasapublicgoodinaccordancewiththepurposeoftheNationalStatisticsSystemandtheprinciplesofstatisticsreferredtoinsection4(2).

(2) Allstatisticsproducersandcustodiansofspatialdatamustformulateanaccesstoinformationpolicywithintheprescribedperiodandintheformandcontainingtherequirementssetoutinthestandards,tobemadepubliclyavailable,settingout-

(a) themethodsandproceduresusedtocompileandproducestatisticsandtocapture,manage,maintainandintegratespatialdata;

(b) an inventory of official and other statistics available, including anyspatialdata;



(c) suchothermattersasmaybeprescribed.

(3) TheStatistician-General,annuallyprior tothecommencementof thefinancialyearoftheAgency,mustpublishalistofstatisticalcollectionstobeundertakenforthatyear.

(4) Subjecttosection44, statisticsproducersmayreleasemicro-leveldatasets to researchers for further analysis,with appropriate safeguards approvedby theStatistician-Generalfortheprotectionoftheconfidentialityofsuchdatasets,includingthat-

(a) thedatasetsmaynotincludenames,addressesoranyothermeansbywhichrespondentsmaybeidentified;and

(b) the users of the data set take an oath of secrecy similar to the oneprescribedinSchedule2ofthisAct.

PARTIXNATIONALSPATIALDATAINFRASTRUCTURE

Establishment and objectives of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure

47. (1) The NationalSpatialDataInfrastructureisestablishedasthenational technical and institutional framework to facilitate the capture,management,maintenance,integration,distributionanduseofspatialdata.

(2) TheobjectivesoftheNSDIareto-

(a) facilitate the capture of spatial data through cooperation betweengovernmentbodiesandotherorgansofstate;

(b) promoteeffectivemanagementandmaintenanceofspatialdata;

(c) promote the use and sharing of spatial data in support of spatialplanning,socio-economicdevelopmentandrelatedactivities;

(d) createanenvironmentwhichfacilitatescoordinationandcooperationamongstakeholdersregardingaccesstospatialdata;

(e) eliminateduplicationinthecapturingofspatialdata;

(f) facilitatetheprotectionofcopyrightoftheStateinworksrelatingtospatialdata.

(3) The Minister may establish an electronic metadata catalogue as acomponentoftheNSDI.

(4) TheStatistician-GeneralmustadministertheNSDI.

Committee for Spatial Data

48. (1) ThereisestablishedacommitteetobeknownastheCommitteeforSpatialDatawhichmustperformitsfunctionsinaccordancewiththisAct.



(2) TheMinister,afterconsultationwiththeMinisterresponsibleforlands,as soonaspracticableafter thecommencementof thisAct,mustappointpersonsasmembersoftheCommitteeforSpatialData,asmanyastheMinistermaydeterminehavingdueregardtopersonswithvestedinterestsintheNSDI,but-

(a) theStatistician-General;and

(b) theSurveyor-Generalasdefinedbysection1oftheLandSurveyAct,1993(ActNo.33of1993),

aremembersoftheCommitteebyvirtueoftheiroffices.

(3) TheSurveyor-GeneralisthechairpersonoftheCommitteeforSpatialData.

(4) ExceptfortheStatistician-GeneralandtheSurveyor-General,amemberoftheCommitteeforSpatialDataisappointedforaperiodofthreeyearsandiseligibleforreappointmentattheexpiryofthatterm.

(5) Sections14,15and16applywiththenecessarychangestoamemberoftheCommitteeforSpatialData.

Functions of Committeefor Spatial Data

49. (1) TheCommitteeforSpatialDatamustadvisetheMinisterandtheAgencyon-

(a) mattersreferredtotheCommitteebytheMinisterortheStatistician-General;

(b) any matter regarding the capture, management, maintenance,integration,distributionanduseofspatialdata;

(c) anymatterwhichtheCommitteeconsidersnecessaryorexpedientforachievingtheobjectivesoftheNSDI.

(2) TheCommitteeforSpatialDatamust-

(a) facilitate, promote and safeguard an environment for the efficientcollection,management,distributionandutilizationofspatialdata;

(b) promote awareness of its activities, including dissemination ofinformationontheimportanceofspatialdataforeffectivegovernance,planninganddecisionmaking;and

(c) be consulted before any spatial data is captured unless a nationalemergencymakessuchpriorconsultationimpossibleorimpractical.

(3) Before the Agency makes any standard relating to the NSDI ascontemplatedinsection 36(1)(b),orformulatethenationalspatialdatainfrastructurepolicy referred to in section7(2)(a)(ii), theAgencymust consult theCommittee forSpatialData.



PARTXGENERALPROVISIONS

Sampling

50. (1) StatisticsrelatingtoalloranyofthematterssetoutinSchedule1maybecollectedbysampling,inplaceofafullenumeration,wheretheuseofthatmethodisconsideredappropriate.

(2) Sampling may also be used to test a questionnaire and a statisticalprocedurebeforefinalisation.

(3) Itisnotadefenceforapersonwhofailstofillinareturnortoansweranyinquirybyreasonthatonlyaportionofaparticulargroupofpersonsisrequiredtofillinthereturnortoanswertheinquiry.

Meetings of statisticians and users of statistics

51. (1) TheStatistician-Generalmustannuallyconveneameetingofusersofofficialstatisticstoreviewuserneedsforsuchstatistics.

(2) The Statistician-General may also hold other meetings, and set upcommitteesofstatisticians,statisticsproducers,suppliersorusersofstatistics,andotherinterestedparties,eithertofurthertheprovisionsofthisActorforgeneraleducationalpurposes,athisowninitiativeoronsufficientrequest.

Delegation of powers and assignment of duties

52. (1) TheMinistermayinwritingdelegatetothechairpersonoftheBoardanypowerconferreduponhimorherbyorunderthisAct,excludingthepowertomakeregulations,subjecttosuchconditionsastheMinistermaydetermine.

(2) TheBoardmayinwriting-

(a) delegate to the Statistician-General or any other employee of theAgencyanypowerconferredupontheBoardbyorunderthisActonsuchconditionsastheBoardmaydetermine;or

(b) assignanyfunctionsimposedupontheBoardbyorunderthisActtotheStatistician-GeneraloranyemployeeoftheAgency.

(3) TheStatistician-Generalmayinwriting-

(a) delegate to any employee of theAgency any power conferred upontheStatistician-GeneralbyorunderthisActorbyanyotherlaw,butexcludingthepowertomakestandardsunderthisAct;or

(b) assignanyemployeeoftheAgencytoperformanyfunctionimposedupontheStatistician-GeneralbyorunderthisActoranyotherlaw.

(4) TheMinister,theBoardortheStatistician-Generalisnotdivestedorrelievedofthepowerorfunctiondelegatedorassignedundersubsection(1),(2),or(3),respectively,andmayatanytime-



(a) withdraworamendanysuchdelegationorassignment;or

(b) withoutprejudiceofanyright,setasideorvaryanydecisionmadeintheexerciseofsuchpower.

Preservation of secrecy

53. AmemberoftheBoardoracommittee,theStatistician-GeneraloranyotheremployeeoftheAgencymaynotdisclosetoanypersoninformationrelatingtotheaffairsoftheBoard,theAgency,orthecommittee,orofanyotherperson,obtainedbysuchpersonintheperformanceofhisorherfunctionsortheexerciseofhisorherpowersunderthisAct,except–

(a) with thewritten authorisation of theMinister,Board or Statistician-General;

(b) forthepurposeoftheexerciseofhisorherpowersortheperformanceofhisorherfunctionsintermsofthisActoranyotherlaw;or

(c) when required to disclose that information before a court of law orunderanylaw,subjecttosection44.

Limitation of liability

54. TheMinister,amemberoftheBoard,amemberofanycommittee,theStatistician-GeneraloranyotheremployeeoftheAgencyisnotpersonallyliableforanylossordamagearisingoutofanyactdoneoromittedtobedoneingoodfaithintheexerciseofanypowerortheperformanceofanyfunctionunderorintermsofthisActoranyotherlaw,unlessthelossordamageisduetothenegligenceoftheMinister,suchmember,Statistician-Generalorsuchemployee,orthefailuretocomplywiththisAct.

Offences in connection with Agency

55. AnypersonemployedincarryingoutanyoftheprovisionsofthisActwho-

(a) byvirtueofsuchemploymentcomesinpossessionofanyinformationwhichmightexertaninfluenceuponoraffectthemarketvalueofanyshare,property,productorarticleandwhobeforesuchinformationismadepublicdirectlyor indirectlydisclosessuch informationorusessuchinformationforpersonalgain;

(b) without authority publishes or communicates to any person anyinformationobtainedbyhimorherinthecourseofhisorherfunctionsintermsofthisAct;or

(c) intheexerciseofanypowerortheperformanceofanyfunctionunderorintermsthisAct,contravenesorfailstocomplywithanytermorconditionofhisorheroathunderSchedule2,

commitsanoffenceandisliabletoafinenotexceedingN$50000ortoimprisonmentforaperiodnotexceedingfiveyears,ortobothsuchfineandsuchimprisonment.



General offences

56. Apersonwho-

(a) representshimselforherselfasmakinganinquiryunderanyprovisionofthisActwhenthepersonisnotanauthorisedofficer;

(b) wilfullyhindersorobstructstheStatistician-GeneraloranyauthorisedofficerintheperformanceofanyfunctionunderthisAct;

(c) wilfully refuses or neglects to supply within such time as may bespecified, any information or particulars required, or to answer anyquestionorinquiryputtohimorherunderthisAct;

(d) inanswertoanyquestionorinquiryputtohimorherunderthisAct,makesanystatementwhichisuntrueinanymaterialrespect;

(e) wilfully destroys, defaces or mutilates documentation containinginformationobtainedinpursuanceoftheprovisionsofthisAct;

(f) publishesorcommunicatestoanypersoninformationwhich,tohisorherknowledge,hasbeendisclosedincontraventionofthisAct,

commitsanoffenceandisliabletoafinenotexceedingN$50000ortoimprisonmentforaperiodnotexceedingfiveyears,ortobothsuchfineandsuchimprisonment.

Religious beliefs or political convictions information

57. (1) DespiteanyotherprovisionsofthisAct,apersonmaynotbecompelledunderthisActtofurnishanyparticularsorinformationrelatingtohisorherreligiousbeliefsordenominationorpoliticalconvictions.

(2) AnauthorisedofficerincarryingoutanyoftheprovisionsofthisActmustexplain theprovisionsofsubsection(1) toa respondentbefore theofficerstartwithhisorherinterview.

Regulations

58. (1) TheMinister,afterconsultingtheBoard,maymakeregulationsnotinconsistentwiththisActrelatingto-

(a) anymatteroraspectdeemednecessaryorexpedientbytheMinisterfortheeffectivetakingofapopulationorhousingcensusinNamibia;

(b) any statistical collection other than a population or housing censusreferredtoinparagraph(a);

(c) thepricingoftheservicesandproductsoftheAgency;

(d) amendingSchedule1ofthisAct;

(e) thefees,costs,priceorchargespayableforstatisticalrecords,spatialdataandotherrecords;



(f) anyothermatterwhich is requiredorpermittedunder thisAct tobeprescribed;

(g) generally, any matter in respect of which the Minister considers itnecessaryorexpedient tomakeregulations toachieve theobjectsofthisAct.

(2) A regulation made under subsection (1) may provide offences forcontraventionorfailuretocomplywithanyofitsprovisionsandprescribeapenaltynotexceedingafineofN$20000orimprisonmentforaperiodnotexceedingtwoyears,ornotexceedingbothsuchfineandsuchimprisonment.

(3) Aregulationmadeundersubsection(1)mayprescribeanadministrativepenaltythattheAgencymayimposeforanycontraventionthereoforfailuretocomplytherewith.

Repeal of laws

59. The Statistics Act, 1976 (Act No. 66 of 1976) and the StatisticsAmendmentProclamation,1981(ProclamationNo.AG.16of1981)arerepealed.

Savings and transitional provisions

60. (1) AnemployeeoftheAgencywhoisamemberoftheGovernmentInstitutionsPensionFundatthetimeheorsheisappointedbytheAgencyremainsamemberofthatFunduntilsuchtimethattheAgencyestablishesitsownpensionfund.

(2) Nothing in this Act may be construed as granting any automatictransfer to theAgencytoanystaffmemberofanydivisionof theNationalPlanningCommission.

(3) Unless otherwise provided in this Act, anything done under a lawrepealedbysection59andwhichcouldhavebeendoneunderacorrespondingprovisionofthisActisdeemedtohavebeendoneunderthatcorrespondingprovision.

Short title and commencement

61. ThisAct iscalled theStatisticsAct,2011andcommencesonadatedeterminedbytheMinisterbynoticeintheGazette.



SCHEDULE1

MATTERSONWHICHSTATISTICSMAYBECOLLECTED,PRODUCED,ANALYZEDORDISSEMINATED

1. Generalstatistics

2. Demographicandsocialstatistics

2.1. Demographicstatistics

2.2. Populationstatistics-

(i) Populationcensuses

(ii) Statisticsonpopulationgroupsofspecialinterest

2.3. Housingstatistics-

(i) HousingCensuses

(ii) Otherhousingstatistics

2.4. Labourstatistics

2.5. Educationandtrainingstatistics

2.6. Culturestatisticsincludingmasscommunication

2.7. Statisticsofhouseholdincomesandexpendituresandtheirdistribution

2.8. Socialsecuritystatistics

2.9. Healthstatistics

2.10. Genderstatistics

2.11. Othersocial,demographicandrelatedstatistics

3. Economicstatistics

3.1. Nationalaccounts

3.2. Agriculturestatistics

3.3. Forestryandfisherystatistics

3.4. Industrialstatistics

3.5. Energystatistics

3.6. Constructionstatistics

3.7. Distributivetradestatistics



3.8. Internationaltradestatistics-

(i) Tradeingoods

(ii) Tradeinservices

3.9. Transportstatistics

3.10. Communicationstatistics

3.11. Tourismstatistics

3.12. Statisticsofservicesnotincludedelsewhere

3.13. Money,financeandinsurancestatistics

3.14. Fiscalstatistics

3.15. Balanceofpaymentsstatistics

3.16. Pricesstatistics-

(i) Consumerpricestatistics

(ii) Producerpricestatistics

3.17. Statisticsofscience,technologyandpatents

3.18. Othereconomicstatistics

4. Naturalresourcesandenvironmentstatistics

4.1. Naturalresourcesandenvironmentstatistics

4.2. Naturalresourcesandenvironmentaccounting

4.3. Meteorologystatistics

4.4. Landusestatistics

5. SuchothermattersasmaybeprescribedbytheMinister.



SCHEDULE2

OATHOFOFFICEANDSECRECY

(Section45)

I,theundersigned………………………………………………………………………..do hereby swear/affirm that I will faithfully and honestly fulfil my duty as………………………………………………………. in conformity with therequirementsoftheStatisticsAct,2011(ActNo.9of2011)andthatIwillnot,otherwisethan inordinary courseofmyemployment as such,without the approval inwritingof theMinister/Board/Statistician-General,discloseormakeknownany information,matterorthingwhichcomestomyknowledgebyreasonofmyemploymentassuch.

“SOHELPMEGOD”/“IAFFIRM”

……………………………………... ……..………………………….Full Name of Deponent Signature

Thus Sworn / Affirmed and Signed before Me at …………………………… onthis….……..dayof…………………….20……….

…………………………………. ………………………………….Full Name of Minister/ SignatureChairperson of the Board/Statistician-General

________________

statistics act 9 of 2011

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