Dear Editor,
On August 20, 2022 (42 months ago), Senior Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh addressed the staff of the Bureau of Statistics, emphasizing the critical importance of the Guyana National Population and Housing Census 2022. He called for the “highest standard of diligence” to ensure successful execution and universal coverage, noting that the resulting data is essential for effective public service planning and national development.
The Chief Statistician, Mr. Errol La Cruez; the Deputy Chief Statistician, Ms. Maxine Bentt; the Deputy Census Officer, Ms. Vanessa Profitt; and other senior staff of the Bureau of Statistics have exhibited strangely, some of the lowest standard of professionalism that culminated in a total failure in the execution and completion of the Guyana National Population and Housing Census 2022 in a timely manner. What are they being paid for again?
It is tantamount to fraud if you pay for a product from a shop keeper, who took your money but then refused to deliver the goods. It is a violation of the contract of sale since there is/ was an offer from the Guyanese public to pay all the staff of the Bureau of Statistics to do a job, they accepted the offer and due consideration was provided to them by way of their monthly salaries. Someone should take the Bureau of Statistics to Court for breaching of their contract with the Guyanese people and ask for Mr. Errol La Cruez to be summarily disciplined for failing this nation in his duty. In my books he should be sacked for severe misconduct in public office. By failing to lead this team and effectively deliver on this 2022 Census, he has destroyed the trust between him and the Guyanese people and should not, if he has any professional ethics, continue to work for the people of Guyana. Just resign and go.
The execution of this vital national project has been marked by significant and repeated delays. The following timeline, based on public statements, documents a pattern of unmet commitments regarding the delivery of the census results:
December 19, 2023: Minister Singh informed the National Assembly that a preliminary report would be completed by the second quarter of 2024.
November 28, 2024: Minister Singh acknowledged the preliminary report was “overdue” but committed to its release before the end of 2024.
February 10, 2025: Minister Singh reported that data analysis was in its “final stages,” yet no preliminary report had been issued, representing a delay of over seven months from the initial deadline.
October 2025: Minister Singh promised the Census report will be made public by the end of 2025 and stated he intended to speak to the Chief Statistician.
As of the end of 2025: The final census data and reports remain outstanding, constituting a delay of over 18 months from the original announced timeline.
Why all these broken promises on this 2022 Census from Minister Singh? The compelling documented evidence can clearly illustrate that his Office represents on this matter, a case of severe mal-administrative and failure in the face of persistent excuses for gross incompetence.
This protracted delay has tangible consequences. As highlighted by His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali at the census launch in 2022, “data driven decision making is important so that we could arrive at the best decision in the interest of people”. The President further stated that “the absence of current, accurate census data impedes the government’s ability to formulate competent policy, measure the effectiveness of programmes, and make strategic decisions for national development. It also withholds critical information from researchers, the private sector, and civil society”.
The public has a legitimate expectation that significant state resources allocated to this project will result in the timely delivery of essential public goods. The continued failure to meet announced deadlines, despite ministerial oversight, points to a severe administrative failure within the project’s management and oversight structure.
Therefore, there is a pressing need for transparent accountability regarding this delay. The Guyanese public deserves a clear explanation for the chronic postponements and a firm, credible plan for the immediate completion and publication of the census data. The principles of good governance and public trust demand that responsible officials and departments be held accountable for the delivery of this foundational national undertaking.