Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, Zambia’s Minister of Finance, raised concerns about the nation’s population surge, projected to escalate from 13 million to 20 million. He emphasized the economic implications and the necessity for future planning. Controversy surrounded the recent 2022 Census Summary Report, with disagreements between key officials over its accuracy and the adherence to directives from President Hakainde Hichilema.
Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, Minister of Finance and National Planning, has expressed significant concern regarding the alarming growth rate of Zambia’s population, which is projected to increase from 13 million to 20 million. He emphasized the urgent need for strategic planning to ensure that the economy can adequately support this rapid demographic change. The current economic framework, he warned, is insufficient to sustain such an expansion in population.
During the unveiling of the revised 2022 Census Summary Report, Dr. Musokotwane affirmed the report’s accuracy and credibility. However, tensions arose between Civil Service Commission Chairperson Dr. Choolwe Beyani and ZamStats Board Chairperson Oliver Chinganya regarding the report’s integrity. Dr. Beyani accused ZamStats of failing to comply with President Hakainde Hichilema’s directives, claiming that this oversight rendered the report prone to significant discrepancies in 15 wards.
In response, Mr. Chinganya defended the report’s validity, stating that the organization had conducted a thorough review process. He contended that the report complied with established standards and reflected a robust analysis of the population data. This disagreement highlights the challenges facing statistical accuracy and transparency in Zambia’s governance framework.
The pressing concern regarding Zambia’s population explosion has prompted critical discussions among government leaders about the country’s preparedness for future growth. The recent tensions regarding the Census Summary Report illustrate the complexities of ensuring reliable and accurate demographic data, which is essential for effective planning and resource allocation. The differing viewpoints underscore the need for a collaborative approach to address demographic challenges.
Original Source: diggers.news
