THE Central Statistical Office (CSO) of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs, and Development is beginning a nationwide geospatial data update exercise (GDUE) on January 26, as part of preparations for the upcoming Population and Housing Census.
This exercise involves trained field staff visiting communities to collect geo-located and attribute data on every building, household, business, institution, and agricultural holding using digital technology. In a media release on January 25, the ministry said the GDUE marks a major step in transitioning the CSO from a primarily paper-based system of mapping and data collection to a fully digitised approach.
It said the GDUE is a critical component of the CSO’s modern, bimodal digital census strategy.
"It ensures that all dwellings are accurately mapped and included in the census, allowing the Computer-Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) or Self-Enumeration, system which allows individuals to complete the census questionnaire online at their convenience using their own devices to function effectively for each location.
