NSA commends public’s cooperation during census

The Namibia Statistics Agency has commended people in the northern regions for their cooperation since the commencement of the census two weeks ago.

Its Deputy Statistician General, Ottilie Mwazi, singled out the Oshana, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, and Omusati Regions.

In an interview with nbc News, Mwazi acknowledged that while certain segments of society have shown resistance, there has been a general willingness to participate in the Census exercise in the northern regions.

Mwazi made the remarks during a visit to Okanghudi Village, where the census was conducted at the residence of former President Hifikepunye Pohamba. 

She emphasised that, due to the absence of an up-to-date national population register, the census, with its comprehensive set of 88 questions, remains the only viable means of obtaining national statistics.

“We are probably going to get there in 2031 or 33 because, for you to do that, you should have a complete and functional population register. Unfortunately, in Namibia, we have started working on that, but it is not comprehensive yet. That is why we have to do the census. You get some information from home affairs, but it’s not complete.”

Former President Hifikepunye Pohamba says he wants Namibians to play their part and be counted during the exercise, urging the NSA to do regular educational campaigns in both urban and rural areas on the importance of the census exercise.

“I want us to have success in our work for counting the people of the country; that is the success we want to see, hence exchanging information as to what we should do in order to make a success of our enumeration of the people.”

The United Nations Population Fund’s Chief Technical Advisor for Census, Collins Opiyo, pledged to work with the NSA to ensure that the Census adheres to international standards. 

“I looked at the training programme, the training content, the training materials, and the setup, and it’s within what we have setup for countries in the conduct of their population census, and we are looking forward to a successful census and dash board, and everything looks good.”

Residents were urged to take part and provide accurate information to enumerators.