Ministry of National Development Planning says it has budgeted K K758, 273.806 towards this year’s Population and Housing census.

Speaking at a round table meeting with cooperating partners, Alexander Chiteme said the amount is equivalent to US$53,212,197.
“The total Census budget is K758, 273,806 which is equivalent to US$53,212,197 at an exchange rate of K14.25 per US Dollar” Mr Chiteme said.

Mr Chiteme said the ministry has made commitments to the ministry of finance that they will support 60 % of the budget and has started part of the process in mapping and listing. 
“Government has committed to finance 60% of the budget and has so far released some of the funding required for mapping activities which started in January 2019” He explained.
Mr Chiteme adds that government is expecting 40 % of the total amount towards the census to be supported by cooperating partners and the ministry is still following up on the plagues from partners who promised last year.

“40% of the budget remains unfunded to cater for 20,000 bicycles, High Speed Computer Hardware and Software, Local Capacity Building Workshop for field workers, Publicity materials, Security enhancements of storage facilities and some more motor bikes” He said.

“Government has already bought 100 motor bikes and 4 motor vehicles out of a total of 500 and 25 to be bought respectively”
He said the budget covers the costs for mapping of the entire country, cost of 40,000 enumerators to collect data, procurement of Information Technology and transport equipment including Tablets for data collection.

Speaking at the same event Minister of Finance Dr Bwalya Ng’andu said this census exercise will help government plan for the nation.
Dr. Ng’andu has assured the nation that governments financial constraints, will not affect its duty towards the census exercise.
He Explains that 2020 budget provides for 75 million towards census of which government has funded for 15.8 million of that amount whose difference will be matched in due time.