Census New Date Undecided As GoL, Partners Set Technical Committee to Review Process

The Government of Liberia and its development partners are reviewing the entire process with the view of correcting all the errors leading to the conduct of this year’s census.

The conduct of the census, which was lastly scheduled for October 24, has suffered a series of setbacks ranging from allegations of corruption involving authorities at the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), irregularities, including poor timing, ineffectiveness, and inefficiency in the training of enumerators, among others.

The just-ended training for enumerators was marred by controversies, protests, and disenchantments across the country.

The failure of LISGIS to provide feeding, timely transportation reimbursement, and lodging for those who attended the training triggered civil disobedience and protests in the various counties, stalling regular movement of people, goods, and services.

LISGIS authorities also failed to disclose the exact amount expected to be received by each of those recruited to serve as enumerators after the training.

The setting of roadblocks by the aggrieved enumerators also impeded normal academic, working, and commercial activities in various counties for several hours.

Those who attended the training claimed that for several days, they were denied a stipend, food, and water by authorities of LISGIS.

However, to ensure a smooth process “the government of Liberia and its partners have commissioned a Technical Committee to review the applications received and ensure due process in the selection of the potential enumerators based on specific technical criteria in respect of all applications received.

According to a release, the final list of trainees will be published no later than 29 October 2022.

“The Government of Liberia and its Partners also wish to inform all concerned individuals that an appropriate compensation package for the Enumerators and Supervisors will be provided.”

This includes reimbursements for expenses related to Tablets Charging, Tour Guides, Training, Transportation, and Refreshment”, a press statement from the government and the partners co-signed by Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Samuel D. Tweah Jr and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia Niels Scott said.

The statement said the Census project had envisaged a complex recruitment process of Enumerators, which was why applications were requested from qualified Liberians across the country to facilitate local community participation in the project.