GIVEN the slow start of 2024 National Census throughout the country, the government is looking at extending the census period for another seven (7) days to cater for those provinces that are behind the scheduled timeframe.
Minister for Administrative Services, Hon. Richard Masere said the extra 7 days will begin right after 30 June of June and by July 7 all provinces should be fully covered by the census team.
“Those provinces that have commenced their counting this week, shall continue on to the 7 days period,” Minister Masere explained.
“All these things, we had in mind when we were doing the planning, however, we had to set a timeframe to give a starting date and finishing date,” he said.
“We understand the implications of the geography and landmass of certain locations or provinces but we decided to allow the set timeframe.”
Minister Masere emphasized that the timeframe was necessary for the team to work towards the target time and ensure the census exercise is being carried out.
“If we had left the start date and finish date open, we will not able to achieve a good result.
“So, this overlap will be catered in the extra 7 days,” Minister Masere said.
He clarified that the cleansing and vetting process will commence after the 7 days mop-up period is lapsed.
The Minister said the cleansing and vetting process would go on till August 30.
“Census is a national event and is of national importance that is embedded into a constitution which has to be conducted after a decade,” Masere said.
“We also have to understand that the census or population number is critical to government planning.”
For this reason, Minister Masere is considering every aspect to help complete the census throughout the nation.
He added that census is a very vital component to the government as it allows for proper and adequate supplies like school subsidies, medical drugs as well allocating enough men power at hospitals and other areas.