| US$5.6m Needed For Nat’l Census -As Ellen Launches Program Today |
| Published on June 28, 2007 | Email To Friend Print Version
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By: Rudolph G. Gborkeh
After twenty-three years of doubts concerning the actual population of Liberia, the government, through the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services, [LISGIS] says the March, 2008 National Population and Housing Census will cost US$ 5.6m to implement and analyze.
The Director General of LISGIS, Dr. Edward Liberty disclosed this to newsmen at the UNMIL’s mid week press conference yesterday at the Pan African Plaza.
Out of this figure, he said the Liberian Government and partners have raised US$ 1.9m, but however, according to him approximately US$2.8m is urgently needed to be used for personnel services, vehicles, motorbikes and other equipment to make LISGIS’ function meet up with the time frame.
Dr. Liberty noted that an Act of National Legislature printed into hand bills on June 7, 2007, mandates the Executive Branch of Government to conduct the 2008 National Population and Housing Census within twenty months, after which the result of the census would later be published.
He stated that, Liberia did not conduct the 1990 and 2000 Population and Housing Census due to the then raging civil crises, adding that the last census result of the last census conducted in 1984 was also not published.
He said after twenty three years, out of which sixteen were devoted to the civil crisis, only speculations can be made of the total size of Liberia’s population, characteristics and distribution.
Dr. Liberty observed that the country lacks reliable and updated gender-desegregated data for planning and policy development.
He therefore stressed that the next census is planned for March 2008, in order to provide a wide ranged and detailed demographic and socio economic information down to the smallest administrative unit, such as clan, townships, enumeration areas and villages.
According to the LISGIS boss, the objective of the census is to provide the present size and structure of the population and its spatial distribution. He also said there is the need to provide a benchmark for monitoring and evaluation of various national and international development goals, such as IPRSP, MDGs, ICPD-POA, NEPAD, etc.
Additional objectives include providing an updated master sampling framework for future sample surveys and providing geographically referenced spatial data that will highlight administrative boundaries, Enumeration Areas, localities and social amenities used for planning needs.
After the census enumeration, LISGIS will provide the census results by county, district, clan, township, town or locality.
Dr Liberty then paid homage to the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) and the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) for tirelessly aiding LISGIS with materials, funds and information that will ensure the successful conduct of the 2008 census.
Dr. Liberty also prayed for timely inputs of every Liberian, adding, “this is an all-Liberian- affair, our friends and partners will only guide the process.”
He also commended personnel of his institution that are in the fields ensuring that the citizens obtain the necessary information as the year 2008 approaches.
Meanwhile, the Director of LISGIS has revealed that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will officially launch the 2008 National Population and Housing Census [2008 NPHC] today, Thursday at the Monrovia City Hall.
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