Prime Minister issues urgent appeal to Iraqis
Prime Minister issues urgent appeal to Iraqis
2024-11-19
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani issued an urgent appeal to Iraqis today, Tuesday, calling on them to cooperate with the teams tasked with conducting the census and to abide by the curfew. Al-Sudani said in a speech that “Iraq will take an important civilized and developmental step tomorrow by conducting the general census of the population and housing, after 37 years have passed since the last comprehensive population census carried out in 1987, and the 1997 census that did not include the Kurdistan Region of Iraq,” indicating that “we are proceeding with implementing the general population census, to complete the priorities of the government program, and to guarantee citizens’ rights to public services.”
He continued, “We are conducting the census to control economic and social development according to a modern scientific vision, and to bridge the information gaps in service work, planning, and national decision-making,” noting that “today we are establishing solid digital standards, and that the general population and housing census will become a scientific tool in planning, and a means for development, far from estimates and interpretations that are not based on facts.”
He stressed, “We made the decision to implement the census because of our confidence in the capabilities of our government agencies,” noting that “we are determined to serve our people according to the most advanced scientific methods, diagnose the shortcomings, and provide the correct services to the citizen.”
He explained, “We have adopted the best modern methods to conduct the census in a scientific and accurate electronic manner, so that the results will serve the present and future of Iraqis,” noting that “the database will be at the service of state institutions, and will contribute to supporting the segments most in need of services, diagnosing crisis hotspots, and drawing a development map for Iraq.”
He explained that “the population census is not just numbers that accumulate, but rather a means to determine effective decisions, such as ensuring the distribution of resources and services between governorates according to more just rules,” calling on “citizens to cooperate with the teams tasked with conducting the census, adhere to the curfew, and provide correct information.”
He stressed “not to listen to rumors linking the census to issues related to taxes or social protection, as this is contrary to the truth,” appreciating “the role of the Ministry of Planning and the General Authority for Statistics and Information Systems for their efforts throughout the past months in preparing and arranging for the census.”
Al-Sudani appreciated “the great role of all ministries and entities not affiliated with a ministry, the governorates, the Ministry of Planning in the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq, and the Statistics Authority in the region,” directing thanks “to the United Nations Population Fund for the support and assistance in all stages.” He also appreciated “the role of the security services in providing a safe and stable environment, and the distinguished role of the media and national press in supporting this distinguished planning project.”
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