RGPH5 / Municipality of Abomey-Calavi : The authorities are immersed in the progress of the work

Inquire about the evolution of the census mapping phase of the 5th General Population and Housing Census (RGPH5) in the commune of Abomey- Calavi. This is the objective of the descent of the Director General of the National Institute of Statistics and Demography (INStaD), Laurent Mahounou HOUNSA and the Fnuap Resident Representative, , Dr. Richmond TIEMOKO this Thursday 16 May 2024. Once in this municipality where the operation takes place, the two personalities accompanied by Mayor Angelo AHOUANDJINOU, mayor of the town crisscrossed the streets to find out from the populations about the progress of the activity.

It was an opportunity for these key RGPH5 stakeholders to visit several households to immerse themselves in the work of field agents.. After their visit to the field, all the members of the delegation expressed their satisfaction with the progress of the census mapping which began throughout the national territory since 15 mars 2024. “The remarkable support and dedication of local elected officials testify to the collective desire to carry out this census mapping operation successfully.. I am delighted. I am completely satisfied and amazed. I am proud of everything I saw on the ground this morning. This demonstrates that the work and awareness raising have been carried out adequately and will continue to be carried out successfully.. I would like to remind the entire population that no one will be neglected as long as it contributes to the development of each locality and the country as a whole.” welcomed Laurent Mahounou HOUNSA, Director General of the National Institute of Statistics and Demography with reassuring serenity. He took the opportunity to recall the importance of census mapping. “Census mapping, which is a crucial step in the General Population and Housing Census, aims to prepare the entire population for the actual enumeration. Its objective is to divide villages and city districts into small portions called Enumeration Areas. (ZD), so that during the actual enumeration phase, each ZD is assigned to an enumerator to ensure that all inhabited areas of the country are covered by the operation,” he continues..

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), one of the key financial and technical partners that provides technical monitoring support to ensure that censuses are of good quality and respect international standards and principles, its Resident Representative in Benin, Dr Richmond Tiemoko, at the end of this descent into the field specifies that with the experience he had during this descent, RGPH5 is on track in Benin. “Mapping provides an overview of the country’s situation, and this morning, we came to see the effectiveness of this preliminary phase which announces the actual enumeration. We are reassured by everything that our eyes have been able to observe. We noticed close collaboration between the authorities and the population. Mapped households show a certain willingness to facilitate data collection for agents. I can say that with all this, the deadline for the operation will be respected” he said.

This census is a great development tool for Angelo AHOUANDJINOU, Mayor of the commune of Abomey-Calavi who took the opportunity to invite all his population to more collaboration with census takers. “The instructions are well followed and everyone is satisfied. I would once again like to invite other local elected officials and the population to collaborate more with census takers.. That the population prepares to welcome the agents again for the next phase, which will be the actual enumeration, and that it provides all the exact information so that this census is truly the compass for the development of our localities in particular, and our country in general” specifies the mayor of the town.

Following the census mapping, the authorities present recalled that the enumeration phase itself will provide more details on the households and structures of our country. A step that the authorities intend to approach with great serenity given its importance for the entire Beninese nation..

Edmond HOUESSIKINDE