Walvis Bay
Some residents in the Erongo Region are uncooperative, says the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), which is currently conducting the Namibia Household Income Expenditure Survey (NHIES) in the region.
According to NSA communications specialist Nelson Ashipala residents of the region, especially those residing in upmarket areas such as Vineta in Swakopmund, Meersig at Walvis Bay and some farms in the area are the biggest culprits in this regard. He says some residents are rude, arrogant and sometimes lashed out at interviewers when approached to partake in the ongoing NHIES survey.
The NHIES is a survey that collects information on expenditure and income of private households throughout Namibia. The aim of the survey is to develop key socio-economic indicators with data to support planning, policy formulation, decision-making, research and development for a knowledge-based economy in order to eradicate poverty and income equality in the country.
Although it will not cover all households, a sampled number of private households will be visited in each region by interviewers. A sample of households will be visited and the interviewers will spend two weeks, 14 days, in each household administering the questionnaire whilst a daily record book will be handed to the household to record all their daily spending on food and alcohol etc. for one week.
Ashipala said some residents point-blank refused to answer any questions posed to them, others used foul language and chased NSA officials away, while yet others simply provided false information.
“In some instances people will make appointments and when we show up they will not even bother coming out of their homes. At farms they lock their gates, which is understandable as they are scared due to the criminal activities in the area. However, our teams are clearly identifiable as they have branded clothes and drive branded vehicles,” Ashipala asserted.
The NSA yesterday sought an audience with the Namibian police to see how they can tackle the situation and how to proceed with the survey. “They don’t want to let us in, but they are the ones who need accurate statistics for their projects,” Ashipala explained.
He urged residents to cooperate, cautioning that uncooperative people may be charged or face a fine.