The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE Department of Statistics yesterday officially launched its multi-tiered 2020 Census publicity campaign.

The census data collection is set to start May 4, 2020.

Proposed as the country’s first electronic census and potentially the most expensive on record, officials from the Department of Statistics yesterday moved to dismiss fears surrounding the census and reassure the public that its participation was key to the process’ success.

Acting Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest, during a press conference at the department’s Madeira Street headquarters, challenged residents across the country to offer their full support and focus on the value of the process and its overall success.

Speaking to reporters following his general address at the launch, Mr Turnquest underscored the importance of the extended exercise, calling the effort both necessary to and essential for the growth and development of the country.

Despite not giving any financial details associated with the census and its completion, Mr Turnquest acknowledged that expenses could be in the range of $5m. However, he noted that the cost paled by comparison to the aid the data compiled could provide the government.

He told reporters: “In order for us to determine how to allocate resources efficiently, we need to have this data available to us.”

Mr Turnquest added: “(The government makes) decisions everyday based upon the last census; based on what we believe is happening in the country.”

The East Grand Bahama MP said the data compiled will offer valuable insight into how demographics have shifted in recent years, allowing the government the best opportunity to service the demands of the public.

“Census data is very important in terms of determining how the country is moving in terms of demographic shifts, ageing of the population, what the income levels are among those demographics; understanding where the population is shifting in terms of locations, communities, so that you can use that information to determine where you want to place clinics, where you want to place schools; the road infrastructure necessary; the electrical and water, and telephone and cable utilities that need to go in.

“It just helps with proper urban planning so that you have a well-ordered infrastructural development and you don’t waste money putting infrastructure in where there is nobody going or the populations not shifting. Or, in fact, moving resources from some areas that maybe depleting in population and investing those dollars wisely; where the people are (going), where the leads are.”

Mr Turnquest said as minister of finance, he welcomes the chance to see how communities are changing.

“We want to know the income levels, where the poverty line is and the areas of relief that we may be able to give in order to stimulate development, to stimulate families so that they can obtain the services that they need and again, shifting demographics to determine where we might be able to encourage commercial development.

“So, there is a lot of things we can get out of a census and again, to be able to use imperial data to make sound policy judgments,” he added.

Bahamians have, in the past, been very apprehensive about the details they give to officials.

Addressing the concerns residents may have, Census 2020 Chief Officer Kim Saunders insisted her office has adjusted the way it approached the exercise in the past, to “make respondents more comfortable and resolute.”

In an interview with The Tribune, Mrs Saunders said respondents deserve to know that the information that they give will be held in the “strictest of confidence,” a matter she said has caused issues in the past.

“When we go to people, the first thing they say is, ‘I don’t want my information in any and everyone’s hands.’ This year, we want to reassure them and remove that fear,” she said.

“We want our respondents to be comfortable and resolute that when they are giving their information. We want them to know, this is only for statistical purposes. I repeat, only for statistical purposes,” Mrs Saunders added.

The nation’s last general census was conducted in 2010.