© Junior D. Kannah / AFP
A street in Kinshasa, DRC. (Illustrative image)
The DRC is preparing the general population and housing census. The last time the country took part in this exercise was in 1984. With regard to the recommendations of the United Nations, it is an operation which must take place every ten years. For the current government, this is the top priority, supports Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde for better planning of development programs and policies.
With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Patient Ligodi
For more efficiency and to rationalize resources, the government wants to organize the operations of census and identification of the population. as well as the enrollment of voters the same time. The three operations will take place this year, the Minister of Planning confirmed to RFI.
The first concrete actions are expected in February with the recruitment of agents to carry out the mapping. The actual start of field operations is scheduled for July. According to initial estimates, they should last between 10 and 18 months.
An operation estimated at 600 million dollars
The fear is to see these operations extend until the period of the elections scheduled for 2023. To date, the funds have not yet been released, leaving some uncertainties. These operations would cost an estimated $ 600 million.
The government claims to have budgeted for at least $ 250 million in the 2022 budget for pre-election tasks and around $ 120 million for the census and identification of the population. National authorities are also counting on traditional partners, such as the United Nations Population Fund, which has already made a first donation of tablets and computers.
