Ministry of National Development Planning says it has received the first 8, 520 tablets to be used in this year’s Census of Population and Housing.
Ministry Permanent Secretary for Development Planning and Administration Chola Chabala said this is from the 30, 000 tablets government has purchased for enumerators’ use in the first-ever e-census, adding that more are expected to be delivered over the weekend, and the remainder in the coming weeks.
Mr. Chabala stated that the 2020 Census will be the first of its kind to be conducted using electronic data collection methodology as enumerators will utilize the tablets in the field to gather and transmit data for onward compilation at the census center.
“The Zambia Statistics Agency, which is in the Ministry of National Development Planning, has so far received 8,520 tablets and we expect to receive about 4, 260 in the next few days which will bring the total to 12, 780 tablets. We will receive the rest soon in readiness for the census,” Mr. Chabala said.
He added that the procurement of the tablets is confirmation of Government’s commitment to ensure that it successfully conducts the 2020 Census of Population and Housing and collect accurate data within a shortest possible time.
The Permanent Secretary also said the usage of tablets will enhance real time monitoring of fieldwork, and in turn minimize errors and help speed up processing of results, stating that the Census will be conducted within the framework of international standards.
Mr. Chabala explained that census of population and housing is important because it provides Government, cooperating partners, private sector entities, individuals, and other stakeholders with accurate data to enable them plan and implement socio-economic, political and other developmental undertakings vital for national development.
“The results of the 2020 Census of Population and Housing will be cardinal in informing the formulation of the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) for the country. The mapping and listing exercise has been successfully conducted,” he stated.
He urged Development Cooperating Partners and private sector entities to come on board and assist the Government either financially or in kind to successfully conduct the Census, which has crosscutting benefits for all.
Zambia Statistics Agency (ZAMSTATS) is on course to successfully conduct this year’s census on population and housing.
Zambia has in the past conducted a series of comprehensive Census in 1969, 1980, 1990, 2000 and 2010.