• Zambia Statistics Agency completes the pilot Census in the 20 selected districts in the country.
• UNFPA donates 2,110 bicycles towards the main Census.
• UK DFID has also provided 15,025 tablets for data collection during the Census exercise.
Government says it has successfully completed the Pilot Census in all the 20 selected districts across the country.
According to a statement made available to Money FM, Minister of National Development Planning, Alexander Chiteme said this exercise has provided an opportunity to Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats) to assess the preparedness of the country for the main Census this year.
‘‘Upon completing the Mapping and listing, the Zambia Statistics Agency commenced the Pilot census on 15th November 2020 in all the ten provinces in Zambia , with each region providing 2 districts, one urban and the other rural, ‘’ he said
Mr.Chiteme said the completion of the Pilot Census is a major achievement considering the numerous challenges in 2020.
‘‘The country faced challenges which included the gassing incidences between October 2019 and February 2020,and flooding in some parts of the country, as well as the outbreak of COVID-19,’’ he said
Meanwhile, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has donated 2,110 bicycles towards the main Census of Population and housing scheduled for this year.
Minister of National Development and Planning, Alexander Chiteme said government acknowledges UNFPA’s unrelenting technical and support since the start of the Census planning process in 2017.
‘‘I wish to acknowledge the support of UN through UNFPA, UNICEF and UNDP for the continued technical and financial support,’’ he said.
And Mr. Chiteme also announced that the UK Department for International Development (DFID) through the UNFPA has so far provided 15,025 tablets for data collection during the Census exercise.
The minister added that his ministry is also grateful to the US Census Bureau, ZANACO and ECO bank for providing support towards the Census activities.