N$50 000 fine for dodging census

Namibians who refuse to give data to enumerators in the forthcoming census may be slapped with a N$50 000 fine or a jail term of up to five years or both.

Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) deputy statistician Ottilie Mwazi yesterday said those who fail to cooperate with the NSA during the upcoming Population And Housing Census face one or both of these punishments.

Mwazi was speaking at a census engagement meeting with the diplomatic corps and international partners in Windhoek.

The 2023 census is scheduled to begin on 18 September, after being postponed two times due to Covid-19.

“The statistician is empowered to collect data at any household level. The statistician general can impose penalties for transgression, those who are not giving the data or refusing us to access their premises or houses. The penalty is a fine of N$50 000, five years in prison, or both, but we try to avoid that and rather educate and advocate.

“All data captured will remain confidential,” she stressed.

Mwazi said they are done with phase one, with preparations that started in November 2022.

“We have visited all 14 regions and have done all engagements with key stakeholders on national and regional levels to create awareness on what type of data we need. We will now be capturing data with gadgets and not papers, which is partially enabled, meaning we can link the census results with the location, which can enhance proper planning,” she said.

Mwazi said transport services and 13 000 temporary staff will be sourced locally.

“The agency plans to employ census field staff, including enumerators, enumeration supervisors, data clerks and information technology field technicians, to ensure the smooth execution of the census.

“Eleven thousand tablets are donated by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa from Togo, 1 700 tablets from Statistics South Africa, and 700 tablets from the NSA inventory,” she said.

The government has committed to giving the agency N$706 million for the 2023/24 financial year to undertake the census.

NSA board chairperson Salomo Hei said the agency remains committed to ensuring the timely availability of accurate and quality data.

“The census, conducted every 10 years as per recommendations by the United Nations, plays a pivotal role in shaping our understanding of the demographic, social, and economic landscape of our beloved nation. It provides us with valuable insights into the needs, challenges and aspirations of our people, while guiding policy formulation, resource allocation and decision-making processes across various sectors,” he said.

Hei said the 2023 census represents a crucial milestone in the nation’s journey toward sustainable development and social progress.

“The data collected will provide a solid foundation for businesses, organisations, researchers, and investors to make informed decisions that will contribute to the growth and prosperity of Namibia. It will enable us to identify emerging trends, leverage untapped opportunities and foster innovation in various sectors, such as healthcare, education, infrastructure and agriculture,” he said.

Hei said the census will enhance the ability to monitor progress toward the achievement of Namibia’s national development plans and Sustainable Development Goals.

“It will provide us with accurate baselines, benchmarks and indicators to assess our progress and identify areas where additional support is required. This data-driven approach will ensure that our efforts are targeted, effective and aligned with the priorities of both Namibia and our esteemed partners,” he said.