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In an interview, Minister Moyo said the training of enumerators ran throughout the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays to ensure that preparations were on track.
It is four days before the country’s fourth population census since independence in 1980.
“We are happy with the progress that we have made so far despite the disruptions in the last two weeks.
“All sticky issues that have been stalling progress have been ironed out and we are moving forward at a satisfactory pace,” said Minister Moyo.
The training of enumerators had a false start on Wednesday last week after disturbances and confusion that rocked most centres.
The training was subsequently deferred and enumerators across the country were turned away.
Training of enumerators resumed at Bulawayo Polytechnic on Saturday.
“The training of Level Four enumerators has begun across the country and in most centres they are through with the screening exercise.
“The screening exercise is a measure that has been put in place to ensure that the enumerators have the requisite requirements that include 5 Ordinary Level subjects, a tertiary education qualification and proof that one is a Government employee in the form of an EC number,” said Minister Moyo.
The counting will begin on the midnight of 17 August and will continue the following day to cater for people travelling at night and people living on the streets.
It would then continue up to 28 August.
Minister Moyo said there was a need to ensure that the enumerators were qualified, as the census was a technical exercise.
“After the training, President Mugabe and other principals will then officially launch the 2012 population census.
“We want to assure members of the public that the census will be conducted successfully and any arising challenges will be solved accordingly,” said Minister Moyo.
About 30 000 people are needed to conduct the census.
The training was supposed to run for 10 days, from 6 August.
The United Nations, emphasising the importance of censuses, recommends that countries should conduct a census every 10 years.
This period allows for the capture of changes in structure and movement of population.
The fundamental purpose of the census is to provide the facts essential to Government for policy-making, planning and administration.
A census provides important data for the analysis and appraisal of the changing patterns of rural to urban movement and concentration.
Online Reporter