Government receives first 8, 520 tablets for Census use, more expected – PS Chabala

LUSAKA, Friday, 10 July 2020 – The Government of Zambia, through the Ministry of National Development Planning, has received the first 8, 520 tablets to be used in the 2020 Census of Population and Housing this year. Ministry of National Development Panning Permanent Secretary (Development Planning and Administration) Mr. Chola Chabala said the supplier this week delivered 8, 520 tablets of the 30, 000 tablets that the Government purchased for enumerators’ use in the first-ever e-census. Mr. Chabala said the more tablets are expected to be delivered over the weekend, and the remainder in the coming weeks. “The Zambia Statistics Agency, which is in the Ministry of National Development Planning, has so far received 8,520 tablets and we expect to receive about 4, 260 in the next few days which will bring the total to 12, 780 tablets. We will receive the rest soon in readiness for the census,” he said. “The Government of Zambia has bought these tablets and financed the census this far, which is confirmation of the Government’s commitment to ensure that we successfully conduct the 2020 Census of Population and Housing and collect accurate data within the shortest possible time.” He said the 2020 Census will be the first of its kind to be conducted using electronic data collection methodology. Enumerators will utilise the tablets in the field to gather and transmit data for onward compilation at the census center. The Permanent Secretary said the usage of tablets would enhance real-time monitoring of fieldwork, thereby minimise errors and helping speed up the processing of results. He said the Census will be conducted within the framework of international standards. The Permanent Secretary explained that census of population and housing was important as it provides the Government, cooperating partners, private sector entities, individuals, and other stakeholders with accurate data to enable them to plan and implement socio-economic, political, and other developmental undertakings vital for national development. Mr. Chabala said the results of the 2020 Census of Population and Housing will be cardinal in informing the formulation of the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) for the country. Mr. Chabala said the mapping and listing exercise has been successfully conducted. The Permanent Secretary urged Development Cooperating Partners and private sector entities to come on board and assist the Government financially and/or in-kind to successfully conduct the Census, which has crosscutting benefits for all. ZAMSTATS is on course to successfully conduct this year’s census on population and housing. Zambia has in the past conducted a series of comprehensive Census in 1969, 1980, 1990, 2000, and 2010.

Issued by

Chibaula D. Silwamba (Mr.) Spokesperson MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING Tel: +260211252409 Email: chibaula.silwamba@mndp.gov.zm Website: www.mndp.gov.zm