Africa-Press – Tanzania. PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has demanded the 2022 Population and Housing Census to be conducted with highest degree of efficiency and accuracy, to help the country plan for development and better lives for its people.
Samia also commended statistics bureaus from both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, for adding two more questionnaires in the envisaged exercise, which seeks to determine the number of houses available countrywide as well as owners of those houses President Samia insisted that the move will easily facilitate the newly-introduced property tax through purchase of electricity tokens.
Ahead of the census scheduled for August next year, the president asked clerics and all other stakeholders to intensify awareness campaigns to convince all people to show up during the exercise, so that the country can have appropriate statistics which can help in planning for development.
“Better data will help our country to plan for better lives and accountability,’’ said President Samia in Dodoma yesterday, when launching a especial public awareness strategy aimed at intensively educating, encouraging and promoting participation of all people in the coming 2022 Population and Housing Census.
Identified as ‘The Publicity and Advocacy Strategy for the National Population and Housing census, 2022’ the initiative is aimed at sensitizing and mobilizing Tanzanians to cooperate and take part in the crucial exercise for the development of the country.
The strategy was prepared by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Statistician in Zanzibar (OCGS).
Speaking at the occasion, President Samia said by coming up with data on the number of buildings in the country, it was easier for Tanzanians to access loans based on the fact that the houses will now have permanent addresses.
She was referring to what was said by NBS Chief Statistician, Dr Albina Chuwa that unlike in the previous censuses which ought to only come up with data on the country’s population, this time round there would be two additional questionnaires which seek to have a total number of houses in the country while another questionnaire seeks to come up with postcodes in both rural and urban areas.
In her speech, President Samia took time to explain to Tanzanians on the importance of conducting census which she said was important for the country to come up with proper policies and plans aiming at helping to country to realise its ambitious development agenda.
The president asked religious leaders to educate their people during congregations, so that more people can turn up for the exercise which would be conducted for one day, whereas all people who are found within the boundaries of the country a Apart from clerics, the Head of State asked other stakeholders including Development Partners, media professionals, artistes, the public sector and Community Based Organisations to intensify similar awareness campaigns.
She was seconded by Vice-President, Dr Philip Mpango and Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa who both underscored for the need for Tanzanians to volunteer during the much awaited exercise as it was important for their own development.
“At some point the Father of the Nation Mwalimu Julius Nyerere once said and I quote: “If we really want to plan for development we need to have clear data on the number of people,’’ Dr Mpango said adding: “planning experts ought to say that if you fail to plan, you will automatically have planned to fail.’’
Prime Minister Majaliwa, who is the National Chairman of the Census Committee, said his team was well prepared to conduct the 2022 census properly and by observing the highest degree of professionalism.
“Personally, I have no doubt that the exercise will be conducted smoothly and until now preparations are already at 45 per cent,’’ noted Mr Majaliwa.
In a related development, both Commissioners for the 2022 Population and Housing Census from the Mainland and in the Isles Ms Anne Makinda and Ambassador Mohammed Haji Hamza assured President Samia that they would use their past experience in the public service, wisdom and professionalism to ensure that the exercise was being completed successfully.
