WHY POPULATION CENSUS IS KEY IN MTC’S DEVELOPMENT

Tarehe ya kuwekwa: April 18th, 2024

By Alex Nelson Malanga

Information Officer----Mbinga TC

Mbinga. The future prosperity and well-being of Mbinga Town Council (MTC) depend upon a proper use of the 2022 population census; it was remarked on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

The remark was made here during the inauguration of the training on the use of the 2022 Population and Housing Census outcome that was run by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and offered to government leaders, officials, opposition party leaders, special groups and other stakeholders.

Gracing the training, Mbinga District Commissioner Hon. Kisare Matiku Makori urged leaders at all levels in his district to use accurate census data in development plans.

He underscored that accurate census data is valuable and essential for economic development, healthcare, education, business planning and decision making.

“Good, available and well-used data can make a difference in people’s lives,” he emphasized.

He went on to add: “the available data are not there as ornaments, we need to utilise them in development plans, to set a stage for our people to benefit from natural resources that we are endowed with.”

Quoting the 2022 Population and Housing Census, an expert from NBS, Dr. Mwinyi Mwinyi, said MTC has a total of 158,896 people.

Of the people, he expounded, female are 83,014 and male are 75,882.

Of the 19 MTC’s wards, the highest and lowest populated wards are Mpepai and Mbinga Mjini B with a population of 17,072 and 3,160 respectively.

MTC deputy chairperson Hon. Alex Andoya said his council will cultivate a culture of using the available population data when it comes to the implementation of development projects.  

“The census provides a suitable database for comparison and projections of demographic data as well as social and economic characteristics of society,” asserted Hon. Andoya, who doubles as the Kilimani ward councillor.

His sentiments were echoed by Hon. Jonas Mbunda, the Mbinga Town Member of Parliament on a CCM ticket.

Hon. Mbunda said the 2022 Population and Housing Census are for integrated plans and sustainable development of MTC and the country at large.

 “Census will provide a room for efficient resources allocation and effective public service delivery at all levels of administration based on the actual population,” he exuded his optimism.