VI census just 30% complete ahead of June 2024 deadline– Hon Lorna G. Smith
Hon Smith was at the time speaking during the debates of the 2nd and 3rd Readings of a bill entitled Statistics Amendment Act 2023, at the Continuation of the Ninth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on March 7, 2024.
The bill is concerned with strengthening the Central Statistics Office and enhancing the accuracy and reliability of data collection for informed policy-making development in the VI.
While speaking on the bill, Hon Smith said a key obstacle for the office has been the lack of compliance by individuals and entities in providing necessary data which compromises the quality and completeness of information collected.
She said that not only impacts the officer’s operational efficiency but also impacts the ability of the government to make evidence-based decisions that are vital for the territory’s progress.
More penalties for non-compliance
As such, the bill is introducing increased penalties for current offenses, along with the introduction of administrative penalties and fines. According to the Minister, the penalties will bring benefits such as enhanced compliance, efficient enforcement, increased deterrence, and procedural fairness.
“Right now, we are supposed to finish by June, and we are only 30% of the way. We need to have that census completed for important reasons,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Premier said the initiative is to promote compliance and not to generate revenues, as the bill proposed up to a $5000 fine for those not complying with Government data collection efforts.
“I urge every resident of our islands to actively engage with enumerators during census activities and to participate wholeheartedly in all forthcoming surveys and data collection efforts as mandated by the Statistics Act,” Hon Smith said.
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17 Responses to “VI census just 30% complete ahead of June 2024 deadline– Hon Lorna G. Smith”
I was never contacted during the last census as well.