DPU EDUCATES PUBLIC ON 2010 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS

Thursday, July 8

Presenting at the Rotary Club of Tortola’s weekly luncheon meeting, Director of the Development Planning Unit Mr. Raymond Phillips spoke of the importance of the Census and what can be expected once enumerators visit households later this month. – The Development Planning Unit (DPU) in the Premier’s Office continues to educate stakeholders as it embarks on the 2010 Population and Housing Census under the theme, “Development is Our Focus. Participate in the 2010 Census.”

“It is very important to know the size of the population if adequate infrastructure and essential services, such as health and education are to be made available appropriately. However, planning for the population goes well beyond the mere knowledge of its magnitude,” Mr. Phillips said.

The DPU Director, spoke of its importance in policy formulation and added, “The Census has but one objective, to provide information to all stakeholders which would be used to inform decisions which are in the best interest of all who call these beautiful Virgin Islands their home. The more complete and accurate the information, the more efficient and effective the policies will be.”

The Director solicited the cooperation of those present as enumerators visit homes to conduct face-to-face interviews with households to undertake the Census exercise. The Virgin Islands 2010 Population and Housing Census will be administered through two questionnaires.

The Household questionnaire will solicit basic information on the housing units in the Territory such as the material and type of houses built, garbage disposal, water supply and electrical source. This section will also look at amenities, overcrowding, migration, crimes against the household and homelessness.
The Persons questionnaire focuses on the sex, age, gender, ethnicity, citizenship, educational attainment, employment status, disability, morbidity, income levels, internet access, fertility and information pertaining to Census day.

The Cabinet approved, 2010 Population and Housing Census is an exercise carried out every 10 years which engages the entire population in the collection of data on individuals and their households. The enumeration process is expected to last between two to three months and will create a number of temporary jobs for qualified persons.