Liberia: Deputy Speaker Encourages Constituents to Take Part in 2022 Census

Grand Kru County - Deputy Speaker Rep. Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa  has over the weekend urged constituents in Grand Kru County to take part in Census 2022, which is expected to run from June 19-23, across the country. 

This year's Census will be a 100% digital census with Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) methodology for the de-facto enumeration. Data will be transmitted to the CSWeb platform resident in the Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

The Grand Kru County District #2 Representative told citizens and residents in Nrokia, Jroah (Sasstown) Statutory District neither to go on the farm,  mine and fishing, but should rather remain in their houses to be counted.

The nationwide survey, at long last,  will be held from the 19th - 23rd June 2020 after five deferments (postponements) since 2018. This round of census, which should have been held in 2018, continues to be  postponed in violation of the Constitution, which mandates in Article 39: “The Legislature shall cause a census of the Republic to be undertaken every ten years.“

The Census is expected to build a better picture of what society looks like - the people, their needs and households in the 15 subdivisions as well as reveal the country’s constantly growing population. It also helps to inform decisions taken by policy-makers.

The Deputy Speaker began his 21-day's constituency visit last week Sunday targeting 35 communities, and all the communities he had since visited, have overwhelmingly endorsed his reelection bid in 2023.

During his visit and endorsements, he constantly encouraged constituents to partake in June 19's Census, arguing that their counting would increase the district representation to three to the Houses of Representatives.

"We want to say, the census is in June; from the 19th to the 23rd. Please stay home and be counted. Bear with us, don't go on the farms, mines or fishing. The results will allow the Government and other organizations to shape future plans for services that benefit local communities when it comes to healthcare, housing, and education,” Cllr. Koffa said.

Meanwhile, it may be recalled, the nationwide survey was scheduled to commence on  March 22, but was deferred to June 19 Census. Sources said the cause of the postponement was because the projected enumerated areas for the Census are far less than what are expected. 

Previous postponements' reasons were untimely and inadequate funding.

Accordingly, throughout the constituency visit, the Deputy Speaker  will be encouraging as many constituents as possible to take part in the Census, which is being run by Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo Information Services (LISGIS).

The first four modern censuses were held in 1962, 1974, 1984 and 2008  revealed how the population had increased differently beginning at 1.1 million, 1.5, 2.1 and 3.5 million respectively.