Census call center launched

The 2024 Population Census has set up a Census Operations Centre [COC] for NSO headquarters to use purposely for communication, monitoring and coordinating the Census operations throughout the country.

The COC through establishing a Census Call Center aims to coordinate information and queries coming in from the field and the public throughout the country during the conduct of the activities in pre-census, enumeration and post-census.

The Census Call Center will act as the main hub of communication for the Census operations, targeting NSO field personnel, provincial coordination and the general population.

National Statistician John Igitoi said the Information received will be assessed before a satisfactory response is given back to those that are enquiring.

"The call center is an important part of the census operations because it basically monitors and coordinates whatever that is happening in the field during the census throughout the provinces," Mr Igitoi said.

"Whatever information coming in will be analyzed and we will provide updates everyday."

The call center will be managed by Digicel Pacific Limited purposely to establish a primary communication service available to address the queries coming in from the field to support the Census operations more efficiently.

About fifteen [15] highly trained call agents from Digicel will manage telephone lines to help the general population, Census officers and others with their questions and address issues regarding the census operations.

"We're delighted to partner with this improvement nation building project. Digicel has always been at the forefront of partnering with the government in providing services across the government agencies," Digicel chief executive officer Ketan Mehta said.

"We have highly trained agents who will be dedicated to working on this project providing input and sending feedback and improving every day on the requirements on the need of this project.

"We have a agile team to ensure we achieve the goals of this particular project."

Minister responsible for Census Richard Masere launched the center today with a test call.

Masere said this is an important setup assisted by Digicel to disseminate information during the course of census.

"We chose you (Digicel) because of the fact that you're bigger and better," Masere said.

"You have a greater coverage across the country. As we collect data or information across our rural communities, it is important that we use a network that is reliable and available.

"Marape-Rosso government understands the importance of census and the importance of ensuring data that is collected is stored and preserved.

"It is important that we understand the real population."

The queries coming in from the field will be channeled to the Call Centre through the Toll-Free Number - 180 1676. Callers with Digicel, Vodafone and Telikom sim can call in for free.