The Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), and partners have deplored what they describe as “unsubstantiated information” in the public space from some political actors as well as individuals regarding the just published Provisional Results of the 2022 National Population and Housing Census.
LISGIS, in a release issued on March 14, 2023 further stated that these results recently announced are intended to provide an overview of the Census count, and does not provide an in-depth analysis.
According to the LISGIS release, while the provisional census results are a succinct summary of the Census, it does not provide an in-depth analysis of the various thematic areas, and disclosed that there are yet to be written analysis and thematic reports on multi-sectorial areas which will provide evidence-based indicators about the push and pull factors.
The release maintained, “The pertinent data according to the push and pull factors associated with all elements of growth will be analyzed and presented in the final Census results that will be published in June 2023.”
Additionally, LISGIS release clarified that all errors related to coverage and content will be determined later by the ongoing Post Enumeration Survey (PES) which draws on a stratified clustered sample survey across the country.
“Howbeit, we welcome the interest of political parties and stakeholders in the published Provisional Results of the 2022 National Population and Housing. We, however, urge for non-polarization of the data,” they stated.
Meanwhile, the country’s statistics House further pointed out that the 2022 Liberia National Population and Housing Census is Liberia’s first complete digital census, and as such, it used state-of-the–art geo-spatial technology, census monitoring dashboard, and Computer Aided Personal Interview (CAPI) technology in all aspects of its implementation.
This, LISGIS noted further that as a comprehensive digital census, it leveraged the available technology to improve operational efficiency and enhance the quality of the data collected, adding that the provisional census results match both regional and international standards.
LISGIS is therefore encouraging the public to contact its Press and Public Affairs Office with specific concerns on the conduct of the 2022 Liberia National Population and Housing census across the country.
It can be recalled that six opposition political parties including former ruling Unity Party (UP) petitioned the National Legislature calling for the rejection of the released National Population and Housing Census result by LISGIS thus describing it as a “cooked number” intended to favor the government.
