The government has announced the deferment of the Census of Population and Housing from 2020 to 2021.
Minister of Finance Bwalya Ng’andu told parliament during the presentation of the proposed 2021 national budget that the changes in dates for conducting the exercise was necessitated by a number of challenges among them the outbreak of the coronavirus.
“The preparation of the 2020 Census of Population and Housing encountered a number of challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result the census will now be conducted in 2021,” he said.
Dr Ng’andu has since advised citizens and other stakeholders to cooperate and actively participate in the exercise.
Meanwhile, Dr Ng’andu has announced that the government has commenced the preparations of the Eighth National Development Plan covering the period 2022 to 2026.
He said this follows the coming to an end of the Seventh National Development Plan which runs up to next year.
He explained that the Eighth National Development Plan will provide a clear development agenda towards the attainment of the national vision 2030.
The Finance Minister also advised stakeholders to actively participate in the preparation of the plan in line with the national planning and budgeting policy.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ng’andu has announced that the Public Investment Board is now operational, adding that Ministries, Provinces and other spending agencies are now mandated to submit their public investment proposal to the board for approval prior to inclusion in the budget.
He pointed out that this will mean that only public investment projects that help achieve developmental objectives and are viable will be included in the budget for implementation.
We don’t have to be doing census anymore. We have the Department of births and deaths under home Affairs.
We should always know the population of Zambians at any given time.
Now census will be excuse to postponed general elections to 2023.
Do census, NRC and Voter registration at same time, you save money. Pack staff from those departments in same twin cab.
Shortage of thinking in PF government.
We thank the minister for this responsible decision in light of the various issues we are facing this year. The diasporans Alice will always criticise and yet have no clue or knowledge about what they are saying. They go abroad to clean toilet and magically they become experts on national matters
Nowadays, it’s normal to be suspicious as we all know 2021 is approaching. Let’s hope for a free n transparent election.