The general director of INE, José Calenge, said that after the 30 days scheduled for the census were completed last Friday, there was a need to extend the deadline due to initial constraints with the payment of meals to census agents, problems with handling of 'tablets', as well as difficulties in accessing hidden and difficult areas due to the rainy season.
The census began on September 19, for a period of 30 days, but the difficulties highlighted forced the collection period to be extended for another four weeks.
According to José Calenge, "it is fundamental and prudent to ensure that all Angolans have the opportunity to be registered".
Regardless of the constraints announced, he stressed, "work has been going on", pointing out "many good examples of overcoming", with data collection already closed in some communes in the provinces of Cuanza Norte, Zaire, Huambo, Cuanza Sul, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Cuando Cubango, Uige, Lunda Norte, Luanda, Moxico, Huíla and Cabinda.
The official stressed that despite the deadline having been extended, there are provinces that may only need two or five days to complete the work.
"However, this decision is the result of a careful analysis of operations in different regions of the country, ensuring that this process, which is crucial for the necessary development, occurs with the maximum scope possible", he stressed.
This is the second population census that the Government has carried out in the post-independence period, the last one taking place in 2014.
