Provinces geared for 2012 population census

Yesterday’s launch of the population census training programme marked the second phase in a series of training workshops that would be conducted in preparation for the national census data collection exercise expected to begin in August.

The two-week training programme is a provincial level exercise targeting supervisors drawn from all districts in the 10 provinces.

In Bulawayo, Governor and Resident Minister Cain Mathema urged residents to co-operate with census officials at a meeting held a city hotel.

“As a province, we are eager to know the population size and its distribution as well as other demographic, economic and social indicators as these will assist us in our developmental projects aimed at improving the livelihoods of our people,” said Governor Mathema.

“I would like to urge everyone in Bulawayo Province to assist as well as co-operate with census officials so that they execute their task without facing any challenges.”

He said the census started with King Mzilikazi and it was necessary to determine what the province needed to develop in all aspects.

Speaking also during the launch of the training for Matabeleland North, also in Bulawayo, Governor and Resident Minister Thokozile Mathuthu said the census would help in formulating policies.

“This population census comes at a time when the country is faced with economic and social challenges that require updated information for policy formulation and decision-making,” said Governor Mathuthu.

“We are ready as a province and I urge people to cooperate as well so that the results are accurate.”

In a speech read on his behalf by the Provincial Administrator for Midlands, Ms Cecilia Chitiyo on the official opening of the province’s edition of the workshop at Senga Training Centre in Gweru, Midlands Governor Jason Machaya, said population census was an important national project in which every Zimbabwean should participate regardless of social, ethnic or political background, to help policymakers formulate and implement relevant policies.

“The population census comes at a time when the country is faced with economic and social challenges that require updated information for policy formulation and decision-making. As a province, we are eager to know the population size and its distribution as well as other demographic, economic and social indicators,” said Governor Machaya.

“These will assist us in our developmental projects aimed at improving the livelihoods of our people. Population census also gives us information at district and ward level to assist our local authorities to come up with relevant policies and decisions based on factual data.”

Zimbabwe last conducted a population census in 2002 which put the national population at 12 million people.

Governor Machaya said the census data collection exercise needed a rigorous publicity campaign spearheaded by the local leadership, which include provincial, district and traditional leaders.

“Census is a mammoth exercise that Zimstat cannot execute alone without the support of other players such as Government ministries and departments. It is my duty as part of the country’s leadership to ensure that all the necessary resources needed for a successful count in our province are mobilised and availed. I would like to urge all the people of this province to assist as well as cooperate with census officials so that they execute their task without facing any challenges,” he said.

The Midlands Governor said the size and spatial distribution of the province and country’s population would help determine the number of schools, clinics and other infrastructural development vital for the province.

He said people, especially those in remote parts of the country, are often wary of Government programmes, if they are not well advertised or publicised.

“Some people are generally wary of strangers in their area. It is, therefore, our duty as leaders to convince our people that it is important to participate in the census and explain the benefits to be derived from such a move. We need to take the necessary measures to ensure that the programme is well-received. It is a national duty that needs to be carried out professionally,” said Governor Machaya.