OPINION: Census: stay soulful, it’s on the way

Last Updated on Sunday, 30 November 2025, 19:25 by Writer

by GHK Lall

In this the time of post elections postmortems, the census has floated into the consciousness again, and is making the rounds again. One senior gov’t minister promised that its grand appearance will be ‘very soon.’ Another political figure spoke of the census in terms of planning. I think of the long-delayed census results and see a vehicular analogy.

The results of a census that are delayed for three years indicate that what is involved is not kicking a tire to pass time, or changing a light bulb, but more. A three-year delay would strongly suggest that the results of the census prompted looking into an engine and conducting an extensive overhaul. The Chief Statistician, Dr. Errol de la Cruz is a resourceful and adaptable numbers man. Hence, I think he would agree with the numerically challenged that the post-census mechanics covering approx. 800,000 citizens, a few trees, and a smattering of cows, sheep, and dogs, shouldn’t occupy all of three years. Perhaps—and it is a big maybe—if 80 million (100 times 800,000) citizens were part of the mix, then there could be agreement that the extra three years are justified before the results could be released to civilized people. Reasonably speaking, to be made to wait three years after the fieldwork for the results for a census of 800,000 people, give or take, stretches the patience, undermines the credibility, and leads to too much speculation about factors good and bad, mostly bad.

It seems that even a regal character committed to doing the right thing, as Dr. Ashni K. Singh, came to his senses that three years was the equivalent of a lifetime on death row (or isolation), and that the results should be before the public soon enough. How much longer can three years be pulled and twisted to get into the shape desired? Relative to the illustrious and sagacious AK Singh, one would hope that his definition of ‘soon’ is not another six months. It is heartening that he rediscovered his vocal cords and inspired them to move from an inaudible croak to a thundering crescendo. Soon suits me, whatever the opposition may find it pleasing to say.

Well, I heard about the census results being a valuable component in planning. Planning in Guyana? Since when was there that beast that rises out of the abyss, and registers its presence? Not for the census, but a footprint in the environment. Planning in Guyana doesn’t depend on some damn census results. Planning in this next Xanadu amounts to what some official smarty wakes up one morning around 11 a.m., and decides that is what it is going to be. Because there is a financial killing that could be made. I challenge anyone (make that exhort in the spirit of Xmas) to present one project that wasn’t graced with that essential, nonnegotiable component. To repeat: where’s the beef for me and the party? Strange how all those who professed to be vegetarians turn out to be bigger carnivores than me. Must be the one-a-year feasting on meat and eddoes around this time.

Census, census, census! A census to facilitate the kind of elections that Guyanese just had. There were so many Guyanese, but so few voters, that the Commonwealth had to be expanded, and an exemption made for Spanish speakers. Imagine that! Cuba and Venezuela now counting as a part of the British Commonwealth. Britannia rules! There is a section of the solution to the mystery of the three long years and the Guyana census results. On another note, Guyanese should brace themselves for the next phase in this delaying game. If it could take a thousand days and some to push the census results towards the first rays of light, a precedent may have been set. The post-elections process of identifying and finalizing the new Leader of the Opposition could take just as long, if the Speaker of the House decides that it is time for him to enjoy all his carried-over and accumulated long leave entitlements, plus no-pay leave as extension. A curious strain of animal this country Guyana is. Fourteen years and counting for a few slivers of information, or daring to seek access to such information. Three years for the results of a census to come out of the heads of the maharajahs who sleep, snore, and wake up on Facebook. And now three months and going for the naming of an Opposition Leader? Is this a country or a calamity? I am not saying, since to do so could lead to accusations of toying dangerously close with subversion, if not treason.