Eustace endorses census

Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace has come out in full support of the national census presently being conducted.{{more}}

Eustace said despite the opinion of some, he is in full support of the exercise.

Speaking to members of the media on June 19, Eustace said that he had been hearing talk by some people that they do not support a census, but he is not into that.

“The census is needed…without it we cannot plan for our development,” he said.

“I want to make that absolutely clear and whether you are a member of any party, that is the position I take and that has to be the position of the New Democratic Party,” Eustace continued.

“I make no apologies for saying so. I have been trained in economics and I know what it means to have a proper census,” he said.

The Opposition Leader further contended that too many people were concerned about issues which were not relevant, with regard to the census, because they had the perception that the census is based on some questions that they are asked in an interview.

According to Eustace, the rationale for asking the questions was different than what those people perceived them to be.

“It is not a party issue; it affects everybody,” he said, adding that more importantly, the results from a census affect the way we interact with regional and international organizations.

The census is a very important exercise, he maintained, especially during periods such as this when the country was going through the “throes of economic difficulties.”

“We cannot find solutions unless we have data, that is the bottom line…unless we have reliable data, we cannot resolve our problems, so we need the information whether you are in government of opposition,” Eustace told members of the media.

The census was a practical application for those who are charged with planning, the opposition leader said.

“If we don’t do it then we might build something too large or too small,” he continued.

Issues relating to health, education and training depended on the data collected from a census, Eustace said.

But more importantly, access to funding also depended on results of a census, as there has been a shift in the way that assistance is given, Eustace explained.

“All over the world, to provide assistance they talk about per capita income,” which the Leader of the Opposition said was determined by size of population and the Gross Domestic Product of a country.

“A lot of countries would not give assistance if the per capita income is too high,” he explained.

Eustace therefore urged the relevant authorities at the census division to step up their public relations campaign in order that people become more aware of the importance of the exercise.

“I want to implore those responsible for the public relations of the census to do as much as possible to sensitize the public,” the Opposition Leader said.

“It is absolutely necessary and I am encouraging all and sundry, including members of my party to support the census,” he said. (DD)