WINDHOEK — The Namibia Statistics Agency’s Statistician-General, Alex Shimuafeni, has declared that the national enumeration process will officially conclude on Sunday, 05 November 2023. This marks the end of a comprehensive effort to count every person within the country’s borders.

According to Namibian Press Agency, through a press statement released on Thursday, any individuals who were within Namibia on the night of 24 September but have not yet been accounted for are urged to make contact with NSA offices nationwide to schedule an enumeration appointment. This initiative underscores the NSA’s commitment to ensuring a complete and inclusive census.

Shimuafeni emphasized that the census data represents more than mere statistics; it embodies the collective voice of the Namibian people. The information gathered will direct the distribution of resources, shape governmental policy-making, and cater to the varied necessities of the population, guaranteeing inclusivity.

In the subsequent months, the NSA will undertake a thorough process of data validation and analysis to confirm the integrity and precision of the census findings. Shimuafeni assured the public that the outcomes of this significant undertaking will be disseminated and will act as a crucial reference for forthcoming developmental plans and policies.

Addressing the issue of delayed payments for census workers, the Statistician-General acknowledged the lateness in the salary payments, initially scheduled for 31 October 2023. He cited extensive cross-checks, including tablet verification for each of the 13,000 enumerators, scrutiny for potential absenteeism, prevention of repeated payments, and resolution of disciplinary issues, as reasons for this postponement.

Shimuafeni disclosed that the NSA has begun the compensation process, with the first round of payments expected to be disbursed in the following week. Efforts are also in place to expedite the payment system and to enhance the efficiency of such processes in the future.