Government To Spend US$98m On 2022 Census Exercise

By Martha Leboho

The government of Zimbabwe will gobble US$98million on 2022 Population and Housing Census set for April next year ZIMSTAT has revealed.

Speaking during a Census sensitization meeting in Masvingo recently, Zim-Stat Director general Taguma Mahonde said government will spend a tune of  US$98 million on the population and housing census.

2022 Census is expected to pave way to the delimitation exercise around the country towards the 2023 general elections thus creating more parliamentary and council seats.

“We have revisited our initial budget of US$85million, adding covid-19 Personal Protective Equipment bringing us to a total of  US$98million required to complete the 2022 Census Exercise.”

The adjustment saw an increase by US $13 million dollars.

Mahonde said the population and housing census exercise is funded by gorvenment and development partners.

“There are development partners who are also coming in , to assist government but primarily its a government project and government usually finances upto 80% and development partners come with 20% or less.

So far we havent had challenges in as far as doing our project with respect to financial aspect , government and treasury have been fully supporting” said Mahonde.

He further highlighted that there are areas which are still not accissible during and after rainy season in Zimbabwe such as Chiredzi, Chimanimani and some few places most likely not to be covered well.

The population and housing census exercise will be the first of its kind in Zimbabwe as this is to ensure the official enumeration of all persons and living quaters such as houses, schools and clinics in the country at a specific time.