Census Delays PUL Elective Congress
The upcoming National Population and Housing Census is upon us finally — after quite a few postponements. As a result — and by a certain presidential proclamation, quite a few things must give way so that the national headcount may commence.
The proclamation from President George Weah was handed down through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, declaring Friday, November 11, 2022 as National Census Day and is to be observed throughout the Republic as a national holiday.
The proclamation comes just days ahead of the Press Union of Liberia’s (PUL) Congress, a three-day event initially beginning November 10, 2022 according to the PUL constitution. During the PUL congress, Liberian journalists across the country are also expected to elect the Union’s new leadership.
As a result of the Census holiday, the leadership of the PUL, in consultation with its Executive Committee and the 2022 Elective Congress Committee, announced on Tuesday, November 8 the postponement of this year’s Congress.
The Union in a release said that the Congress, initially scheduled for November 10 to 12 in line with the Union’s Constitution, will now be held from Thursday, November 17 to Saturday, November 19 in Gbarnga City, Bong County.
The decision, according to the statement, was reached after the Liberian Government announced that this year’s National Population and Housing Census will kick off on Friday, November 10, which would have fallen on the second day of the PUL Congress.
However, the decision, which was also reached in consultation with the candidates in the pending election, is intended to allow members of the Union across the country as well as invited personalities to stay in their localities and be counted.
Meanwhile, all activities of congress including invited guests, speakers, and observers remain intact for the rescheduled date.
PUL was founded in Monrovia on September 30, 1964, and is the umbrella organization serving Liberian media professionals and institutions.
With a membership base of more than 1,000 registered journalists, the PUL has oversight responsibility for addressing problems arising from journalists’ reportage and conduct in the face of the ever-growing demand for quality and good taste.
It operates under the auspices of four elected officers – namely the President, Vice President, Secretary General and Assistant Secretary-General for a three-year tenure.
Meanwhile, the National Census Day proclamation calls on all ministries and agencies of government, enterprises (large and small) and implores the patriotism and loyalty of every citizen and to the goodwill of every foreign national as well as local government officials to assist the census authorities in explaining, influencing, and endorsing the participation of everybody in this massive, national undertaking, given the advantages and usefulness of the Census to the overall national socio-economic development of the country.
The Proclamation further mentioned that the census shall be conducted and directed by the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) in the most expeditious manner, but its success shall be dependent upon the total involvement of all citizens and foreign residents within the borders as well as all Liberian citizens residing abroad to mobilize the resources and administrative machinery necessary for the implementation and execution of this project.