4th population census: Technical committee holds first session

Yaounde, Cameroon– Members of the Technical Committee of the 4th Population and Housing Census in Cameroon have held their first ordinary session in Yaounde.

The four-hour plenary took place on December 2, 2014 under the chairmanship of Mr Gilbert Didier Edoa, President of the committee and Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development.

Three subjects were scrutinised in conjunction with section two of presidential decree N°2015/397 of September 15, 2015 that authorised the organisation of the 4th Census. Members thereby proceeded with; the examination of the project document (PRODOC), a review of the proposed methodology of the Cartography Census, and an appraisal of the total budget of the exercise.

Prior to this, Mr Edoa, president of the technical committee formally installed members and emphasised on the daunting task awaiting them. He said a successful outcome of the census is a major determinant to policy makers towards Cameroon’s attainment of its “Vision 2035”, which seeks to make the country an emerging economy.

It should be noted that the technical committee of the 4th Census is the operational unit, which ought to ensure a smooth management of the project. It is principally charged with:

• Overseeing the execution of decisions made by the National Council, which was installed on October 30, 2015 by Mr Louis Paul Motaze, Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development, and President of the National Council;

• Coordinating and harmonising the activities of the different bodies and services of the 4th Census, through the expertise of the Central Bureau of Census and Population Studies (BUCREP);

• Validating technical documents;

• Examining the budget of the 4th Census.