Berea, Jan. 29 — In preparation for the national Population and Housing Census scheduled to kick start on April 12 this year, Berea Census Publicity Committee has embarked on an awareness campaign by targeting Berea District Council on Thursday.
Berea Census Publicity Committee is conducting the sensitization campaign of the Population and Housing census under the theme, ‘Be Counted for improved services and the development of your respective district and the country’.
When speaking at the District Council meeting, representing Census Publicity Committee and also Berea District Administrator’s (DA) office Administration Manager, Mrs. Makatleho Malataliana said it is important to be counted, citing that such exercise contribute immensely in helping the country to make some well informed decisions for the development of the country.
Mrs. Malataliana further emphasized that the census plays a significant role in the distribution of services to the nation relative to the population found at the specific place or even the district.
Additionally, she said it has come to their attention that people in communities are reluctant to attend public gatherings as a result of many sectors visiting them on data collection, therefore the Department of Statistics has come out with prior preparations for Census by targeting leaders in order to pave way as part of raising awareness about the importance of being counted.
Mrs. Malataliana stressed that the District Council being made of Community Councilors, they work very closely with the community, therefore through this initiative they are looking forward to collaborative efforts of the community leadership for the success of exercise.
Sharing the same sentiments, Bureau of Statistics District Officer, Mr. Sekhuts’ane Mohau stressed that looking at the magnitude of census activity, collective responsibility is vital for the success of the exercise, hence members of the public need to be well informed about the importance of census.
Meanwhile, District Council Chairperson Mokotjomela Jane acknowledged the initiative of the publicity committee for approaching them, highlighting that it has enlightened their knowledge and they will confidently disseminate information to the people in their respective communities about the upcoming exercise.
A similar public awareness campaign about the Population and Housing Census is scheduled to reach other groups of the society which includes teachers, Area Chiefs, elderly people and other sectors.
Lesotho last conducted the Population and Housing Census in 2016 and the population at the time was found to be 2,000,201.
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