STATIN urges more cooperation in census drive

Census takers are pleading with householders to be more responsive in the upcoming final month of fieldwork ahead of the completion of the 2011 Population and Housing Census.

In a release yesterday, the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) said considerable progress has been made over the last two months of data collection but particular challenges remained.

"Access to gated premises, communities and apartment buildings continues to be problematic," STATIN said. "Of concern as well have been the numerous return visits by some census takers to various households without positive response - and there have been individuals, on occasion, refusing to provide the required information."

Provide honest answers

STATIN, the organisation conducting the 2011 census, said it was again appealing to the public to engage the census takers across the country and to provide honest answers to the questions being asked, given the importance of the exercise to national development.

"We must all be counted - as the information that is collected provides data on population size, age and sex composition, geographic distribution, housing characteristics and facilities that have crucial bearing on the social aspects of all households," the institute said. "It's therefore critical to both the public and private sectors - providing the plan and platform for all areas of development."

The institute assured citizens that in accordance with the Statistics Act, the information collected was private and confidential and could only be published in aggregated format that prevents the identification of any individual or business. Each employee, it added, is required to take the oath of secrecy as prescribed by the act.

STATIN, for the period remaining, is appealing to occupants of apartments, town houses, strata units and other residences who have not yet been counted to call the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, 926-5311 or email comcen@statinja.gov.jm.