By Bill W. Cooper
The House Representatives has concurred with the Liberian Sensate for the holding of the 2022 National Population and Housing Census across Liberia.
The Representatives agreed with the Senators for the conduct of the census which is expected to be digitally be held from October 24 to November 7, 2022.
The lawmakers’ decision followed a comprehensive report from its joint committees on Governance and Government reform, Judiciary and Elections and Inauguration calling on their colleagues to ensure the long-awaited census is held this year.
Recently, the Liberian Senate somersaulted on its decision calling for the postponement of the conduct National Population and Housing Census to March of 2023, and thereby set October 24 to November 7, as the new date for the conduct of the census.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Board of LISGIS, Samuel D. Tweah, is expected to answer to the corruption saga at the entity.
According to the Committees’ report, Mr. Tweah should promptly address the current leadership crisis at the country’s statistics house as such could have a deleterious impact on the roll-out of the census activities.
It can be recalled that prior to the lawmakers’ latest decision, the plenary of the Houses previously summoned the leadership of LISGIS to on series of corruption allegations reportedly carried out at the entity.
But during their appearance before that august body, LISGIS’ Director General, Prof. Francis Wreh and his two deputies, Wilmot Smith and Lawrence George denied the allegations and assured the public that all was set to commence the census this year.
The LISGIS DG and team further informed that body that the conduct of the 2022 Census is well on course, and is only awaiting a joint resolution from both the Executive and Legislative Branches government setting up a new date for the conduct of the process.
In terms materials needed for the process, the LISGIS Boss added that there was an urgent need to conduct the census speedily owing to the fact that Liberia borrowed tablets to be used from Ghana.
Meanwhile, following the concurrence by the by the House on the setting of a new date for the census, a motion for Reconsideration was then proffered by Maryland County Representative, P. Mike Jury in line with legislative procedure.
The Motion for Reconsideration which now stalled the document at the National Legislature is expected to be tried within 72 hours.
