Sudan’s census kick-off awaits presidential green light – official
By Isaac Vuni
February 8, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The fifth Sudan national population census scheduled for 15th April this year may be in dilemma unless a presidential degree issued by President Omer Hassan Al- Bashir for its conformation, the chairman of Southern Sudan Commission for Census, Statistic and Evaluation, Isiah Chol has said.
Speaking to a journalist from Khartoum International Airport today, after attending four days of consultative technical committee meeting on Census Commission, Chol explained that all arrangements for National Population Census to kick off have been accomplished.
He assured Sudanese communities that there is no way whatsoever for anyone to sabotage the programmed national population exercise. “What we are waiting for is a presidential decree to confirm commission’s fixed date of 15th April 2008” Chol said.
Chol further disclosed that Government of National Unity in Khartoum has released partial money for training of enumerators in southern Sudan; adding that census technical committee has planed to meet on Monday February 11th in Juba, and that he is optimistic that by then a presidential degree for confirmations would be out. Otherwise, the meeting of technical committee would have no bases and meaning.
In another development Sudanese organizations pursuing justice and reconciliation among cross section of Sudanese have appeal to the entire Southern Sudanese communities to be more considerate in addressing national issues.
The chairman of Southern Sudan Commission for Census, Statistic and Evaluation, Isaiha Chol was accompanied to Khartoum by George Garang, Under Secretary in ministry of Information and broadcasting, Rehan Abdal Nebi, Acting Director of Southern Sudan television juba and Mrs. Susan Allophones Dumo, Director southern Sudan Radio, Juba.
(ST)