Finance Minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane alerts on Zambia’s population surge, indicating the need for economic preparedness. The launch of the 2022 Census Summary Report sparked controversy between Dr. Choolwe Beyani and Oliver Chinganya over discrepancies in the report, with calls for corrections to ensure its validity.
Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, the Finance and National Planning Minister, has expressed significant concern regarding the swift increase in Zambia’s population, projecting a rise from 13 to 20 million. He emphasized the urgent need to strategize for the future, warning that the current economic framework is insufficient to support such rapid growth.
During the launch of the revised 2022 Census Summary Report this past Tuesday, Dr. Musokotwane affirmed the report’s accuracy and credibility despite disputes. Civil Service Commission Chairperson, Dr. Choolwe Beyani, had a contentious exchange with ZamStats Board Chairperson, Oliver Chinganya, over alleged inaccuracies, specifically citing discrepancies in 15 wards which Dr. Beyani claimed compromised the report’s validity.
Dr. Beyani asserted that ZamStats had failed to comply with President Hakainde Hichilema’s directive to amend these apparent errors, declaring the report “illegal, null and void.” In contrast, Mr. Chinganya defended the integrity of the report, affirming its adherence to statistical standards. This disagreement underscores the tensions surrounding population statistics and their implications for national planning.
In conclusion, the rapid growth of Zambia’s population poses pressing challenges for the nation’s economic stability, prompting urgent calls for strategic preparation. The debate surrounding the 2022 Census Summary Report highlights existing tensions within governmental bodies and raises questions about data accuracy and reliability, which are crucial for informed planning and policy-making.
Original Source: diggers.news
