Cameroon: Lack of funds grounds fourth population census

Mr Paul Biy the long serving ruler of Cameroon in 2015 announced the fourth population census in his kingdom which has not taken place till date. 

 

For this process to be completed, the central bureau for population census and studies (BUCREP) needs a sum of fcfa 30 billions which is not even available..... " We need to recruit 33000 young people with at least  an advanced level certificate who will each earn a salary of fcfa 150000 per month so as to commission them in the 16000 census zones across the country... More to that, we equally need 4x4 wheel drive vehicles in their numbers to facilitate movements in remote areas ......and what you need to know again is that, we are to operate digital and all the workers must possess smart phones  with GPS..... So you can see that the task is daunting" Bernadette Mbarga, general manager of BUCREP told Cameroon Concord.

 

Despite these challenges, the prime minister and head of government, Philemon Yang has recommended beginning 2018 as deadline for the census results to be published. This certainly for political reasons as the country will run major elections next years.

 

Though the process is on a snail pace, some 500 workers out of the 33000 required, have been deployed nationwide for cartographic studies. They are also expected  to carry out general census on agriculture and livestock... " in our teams, we have agents from the ministries of agriculture and livestock. This will help us to have a clear cut idea on the activities carried out in various localities. The cartography enables us to know the number of churches, mosques schools... And we are presently at 55% rate of realisation nationwide for the preliminary phase of the census which cost fcfa 5 billions.." According to Atoine Marie Ngono, head of communications unit and public relations officer at  BUCREP.

 

The GM, Bernadette Mbarga reaffirmed that if the  necessary conditions are met on time, the results could be out by March 2018.

Another source in the structure revealed that they have sort after some financial partners and the world bank has promised fcfa 3 billions meanwhile the African development bank says it will give about sixty 4x4 wheel drive vehicles.

 

Despite these endeavours, the task still remains daunting and the future of the fourth population census is bleak.

 

The results of the last  population and housing census in Cameroon  in 2005 did not really situate the exact number of Cameroonians as the population is still estimated at above 23 million people.

 

With this confusion and ambiguity in the of inhabitants in the country, any attempt towards balance development and the purported emergence by 2035 is a farce.