BUJUMBURA, September 20th (ABP) – On Thursday 19 September 2024, the Prime Minister, Gervais Ndirakobuca, brought together the members of the National Orientation Committee for the general census in Bujumbura for a 3rd assessment after 17 days of campaigning. According to Pierre Claver Manirakiza, Technical Director at the Central Census Office, the results are satisfactory.
He pointed out that the coverage rate of households that have already taken the census is 92%, on the 17th day since the start of the campaign.
Nevertheless, he noted disparities between provinces, neighbourhoods and sub-neighbourhoods, mentioning that in Bujumbura City, the Mukaza and Ntahangwa communes are at the back of the pack. While thanking those who had already taken the census, Manirakiza said that the head of government had urged those who had not to do so to do so as soon as possible. The latter have been directed to the administrative offices at grassroots level to inform them that they have not yet been counted. According to Manirakiza, the closing date for that census campaign is 6pm on Sunday 22/09/2024.
Local administrative staff were also asked to accompany people who had not yet been enumerated so that they could have easy access to the enumerators. Manirakiza said that taking the census was a duty to be fulfilled. For him, those who are not included in the databases that will be compiled after the census campaign run the risk of not having the rights and benefits that other (those enumerated) will enjoy. Hence the need to do everything they can to be counted. A toll-free number, 175, is available for people who have not yet been registered. Manirakiza ended his speech by urging anyone who has not yet been counted to call that number, which is that of the census headquarters, in order to receive support.