By: Stephen G. Fellajuah
Email fellajuahstepheng@gmail.com
Liberia Institute of Statistic and Geo-information Services (LISGIS) through the Liberia National Population and Housing Census (NPHC) 2022 in collaboration and partnership with the World Bank, United Nations, Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) Irish Aid and the Embassy of Sweden over the weekend climaxed a one-day national stakeholders engagement conference on the conduct of Liberia first digital census.
During the national stakeholders’ engagement conference, held at the Monrovia City Hall Ball Room on August 26, 2022, LISGIS reaffirmed it readiness and commitment to conduct the country first and ever digital census, decrying delay on the part of the National Legislature to set the new date for the process.
“We call on the Legislature and strongly recommend that they do the proclamation that determines to do the census date that will allow your valuable impute as we conduct this census. The census is critical for planning, and development and we urge for coordination and stakeholders engagement.”
The government of Liberia is leading the Liberia Census 2022 through the Institute of Statistic and Geo-Information Service with technical support from the UNFPA. This year National Population and Housing Census is implemented under the theme ‘’ be counted.’’ The conduct of census is in accordance with the constitution which calls for the conduct of a census after every ten years.
The conferenced was graced by the President of the University of Liberia Dr. Julus S. Nelson, who spoke on behalf of institute of learning, USAID Liberia, UNFPA Liberia, Civil society organizations and other development partners and stakeholders, were in attendence.
Population and housing census is used to determine the current demographic, social, economic and cultural characteristic of the population of the country, provide small area data, create sustianablility of data collection and analysis in the future through strengthened national capacity with the provision of a new master sample frame for future survey, quality maps and geographic information system (GIS).
The benefit of the 2022 populationa and housimg census will enhance economic-wide development planning through availability of the general development planning, monitoring and evalution tools that will help track progress of Liberia development agenda includimg the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development and the sustainable development Goal.
The census is also expected to facilitate the mobilization of real estate taxes. The 2022 census will infuse over US$15 million into the local economy through the procurement of goods and services.
Giving the welcome rememarks and statement of purpose, the Acting Director General of LISGIS, Wilmot F. Smith, said the institution is expected to conduct the census this 2022 with the consent and approval of the Legislature who needs to set the census date and being hopefull that in the coming days the census date will be seat so Liberia can experience it first digital census.
He described it as mile stone, noting that they have being working with their partners UNFPA, UNDP and other to ensure that all the guidelines are met to ensure they have the census.
“LISGIS is prepare and ready to conduct the census because we are currently conducting the trainer of trainers workshop at our office. There is substantial financial resource for the conduct of the census and logistical equipment and material for the census are available in the country. We have completed the geographical mapping of the country. We have twenty one thousands tablets and twenty one thousand power banks to use in the filed for the census. We like to thank our partners, UNFPA and all other for the support and again appealing to the legislature for the seating up of the new date so we can conduct the census’’ he concluded.
Speaking in brief remarks and on behald of development partners, USAID Liberia Democracy, Rights and Governance office Director and UNFPA Liberia project director, Michael B. Weah, who proxy for his boss, expressed excitement and gratitude to form part of the training, adding that the import of the stakeholders will help in the reaming process of the census.
“We call on the Liberia legislature and strongly recommend that they make the proclamation that determines to do the census date that will allow your valuable impute as we conduct this census. The census is critical for planning, and development and we urge for coordination and stakeholders engagement’’ they noted in separate remarks.
Speaking on behalf of the institution of learning, University of Liberia President Dr. Julus S. Nelson, thanked the team at LISGIS for being on their words, saying that it is good to know the exact population of the country.
Continuing, he expressed gratitude to LISGIS and their partners because Liberia is gradually coming to the place of not projecting their population, urging the Legislature to speed up with the announcement of the new census data.
