2011 Population, Housing Census launched

(from left) Francis Joseph- member of the 2011 Population and Housing Census National Advisory Committee, Prayma Carrette- Chief Statistician and Chief Census Officer, Hon. Alvin Bernard, Dr. Philomen Harrison- Program Director of CARICOM Regional Statistics Unit

After over two years of preparation the ‘2011 Population and Housing Census’ officially gets underway following a formal launching ceremony this morning.

Chief Statistician and Census Officer Prayma Carrette said the official launch is a demonstration of Dominica’s preparedness for the 2011 census, which is intended to collect, compile and disseminate demographic social and economic information from across the island.

Junior Foreign Affairs Minister Alvin Bernard and Dr. Philomen Harrison –Program Director of the CARICOM Regional Statistics Unit shared the view that the project is the most important exercise to be undertaken by the state.

The 2011 Census will provide a complete count of population and housing stock and make available information on population size and distribution, age structure, educational attainment and other socio-economic characteristics.

The information collected will then offer a socio economic profile of the population and inform the decision making process as it relates to policy development and development management.

Preparation for the 2011 Census began in February 2008 and has since seen the establishment of a National Advisory Committee, the Census Order and Regulation, the Census Questionnaire and Manuals and the Census Mapping Exercise. These achievements, according to Chief Statistician Carrette, put Dominica well ahead of its regional counterparts.

The Government of Dominica has provided some $1.3 Million for the preparation and conduct of the once in a decade project. Of this around $225,000 has so far been expended.

“Policy-makers understand the importance of conducting a Census… the single most accurate data bank of any country,” Carrette reminded.

The last census in Dominica was conducted almost a decade ago in 2001. Since that time the island has underwent significant changes in population growth, fertility patterns, migration, changes in labor force, and the expansion of residential areas among others.

“The 2011 Census will accurately measure the extent of these changes, which will be used for developing policies and programs that will assist in enhancing the welfare of the Dominican population.”

Carrette has called for the continued cooperation of households, which she stressed, will increase the success of the Census and provide a more accurate and reliable database for the country.

Meanwhile, Minister of State Alvin Bernard believes the 2011 Census would be of even greater importance “since it will be the last Census before the official target date of the 2015 target date for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.”

He said the census will provide indicators that will be crucial for the determination of the island’s success in achieving the 2015 MDG targets.

The Minister called for the cooperation of all stakeholders in achieving the success of the project. He said, “We need to move away from the cynicism harbored by many with regard to information sharing to a culture of informed decision-making. Too many instances are activities involving surveys, polls, censuses and event information sharing in the work place, confronted by anxiety.”

Those in attendance at today’s launch included Parliamentary Representatives, Ministers of Government, the Opposition Leader Hector John, Charles Maynard –Ambassador to CARICOM and the OECS, Ambassadors of Cuba and Venezuela and other public officials.

Preparation

Preparation activities for the census are within schedule and Minister of State Alvin Bernard lauded the efforts of CARICOM Regional Census Unit under the direction of Dr. Philomen Harrison, the services of the Census Mapping consultant, which has provided for the Geographical Positioning System (GPS) and the Geographical Information System Training –the first such Census
Mapping Exercise for Dominica.

Further, he cited the efforts of the 2011 Population and Housing Census National Advisory Committee, whose efforts he says has provided a sound platform by completing all assigned activities ahead of schedule putting Dominica ahead of its regional counterparts.

Also, officers of the Central Statistics Office have acquired enhanced skills  through training in Census Administration and Methodology.

“We applaud CARICOM for its dedicated efforts in ensuring that the region remains competent in its statistical development programs. Further support is expected throughout the Census Planning period,” the minister said.

“The government of Dominica pledges its full support of the census and from time to time, the Office of the Prime Minister will assist the Census Office in awareness and publicity,” Comitted the State Minister.

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5 Comments

  1. Envar
    August 18, 2010

    hhmmm,,, it was 60,000,00 before so add 15,000 hatians 1000 chinese and 2500 spanish, 60 guyanes, 40 st. lucians, 25 antiguans and about 56 returnies from the dieasspoorer…

    gand total. 78, 681..

    shate i forget about 47 women plug all now…. plus about 666 to 78 was born from the last times…

    good increase…..

  2. LAMOTHE
    August 18, 2010
  3. de caribbean change
    August 18, 2010

    Looking professionally attired all the way. Keep it up.

  4. Dominican
    August 18, 2010

    @Patat Again: lol………. good one…………… But when you check it… So many of our own Dominicans migrating abroad and the Haitians and Chinese comin here…

  5. Patat Again
    August 18, 2010

    With all dose hatians and chinese Dominica going and have over 100,000 people this time around and that can be good and can be bad.

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