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Nesia Mhaka Herald Correspondent
Zimbabweans have been urged to participate in the ongoing population mapping exercise to enable the Government to gather accurate data that will provide a framework for areas to be covered in the 2022 census.

The objective of the mapping exercise is to divide the country into enumeration areas (EAs) on the basis of the country’s administrative divisions, to produce updated and supervision area maps.

EAs are well-identified territorial units containing the prescribed population size of 80 to 120 households in which enumeration is to be carried out by a group of enumerators within a specified period.

The mapping exercise is carried out at least two-and-a-half years prior to the population and housing                                             census.

Speaking during the mapping census exercise in Mt Pleasant on Tuesday, Zimstat director Aluwisio Mukavhi urged the nation to actively participate in the programme which started in December 2019.

“Census mapping is a very important exercise because it ensures that every area is covered. We cannot rely on information gathered in the previous population census because some dwellings will have been moved and some extended,” he said.

“The mapping exercise draws boundaries concerning enumeration areas. It is critical for everyone to participate in the mapping census by cooperating with the enumerators through answering questions correctly and accurately since the census will cover everyone who will be in Zimbabwe.

“ZimStat is urging everyone in spite of social, political, religious, economic background to participate in the population census as the resultant data will guide policymakers for effective policy, planning and decision-making purposes and this will improve the lives of all Zimbabweans.”

He stressed that the census was a national project which required the support of all Government agencies.

“Although ZimStat is the main implementing agency, the support of all Government ministries, the private sector, civil society organisations and research and training institutions are vital for conducting a successful census,” said Mr Mukavhi.

The 2022 August census will be the fifth population census since the country’s independence in 1980.

The first was held in 1982, while the other four were conducted at 10-year intervals.