Oshikoto – David Emvula, the Oshikoto regional statistician for the Namibian Statistics Agency (NSA), has appealed to the region’s communities for their continued support and cooperation in the ongoing second phase of the population and housing census. This call for cooperation is crucial for the NSA to obtain accurate and comprehensive data.
According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), In an interview with Nampa on Monday, Emvula emphasized the importance of community participation in the census. He recounted challenges faced during the first phase, where some residents were hesitant to participate. “The first phase of the census was somehow difficult as some people were refusing to be counted as they thought the census was a Swapo project. Others refused to be counted while [activist] Michael Amushelelo was behind bars,” he explained.
Emvula highlighted that reluctance to participate was often based on misunderstandings or minor issues. He mentioned instances where commercial farmers denied access to their properties for census activities. “They were not scared of hearing they would be fined N.dollars 50,000 for refusing to be counted, they only got scared of the police once we went with them,” he said.
Additionally, Emvula addressed concerns regarding water scarcity, noting that while it is a significant issue, it does not directly impact data collection. He clarified the NSA’s role, stating, “We do not do anything, we just provide statistics to the government for their planning and execution.” Emvula reiterated that the NSA’s responsibility is solely data collection, which then aids government planning based on the needs of the people.
The ongoing Post Enumeration Survey (PES), which began on November 6 and will conclude on November 24, 2023, is an integral part of the census process. The PES is designed to measure the completeness and quality of the census results. It’s a critical step in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the census data, which will inform future governmental planning and policies.