Census Nonsense

So, since Nigeria had their first "legal" election that didn't end in a military coup, this is their first attempt at a census. It's political, of course. Some think it's a valid attempt to account for everyone so that in the next election in February, the voting rosters won't get so corrupted. Others think it's a way of actually manipulating the names and locations of people so that certain states can get more power. All speculation -- all based upon distrust from many years of instability. Anyway, what we know is that this census-taking is crazy!!

First, it was supposed to begin on Tuesday across the whole nation and last through Saturday. That meant a lot of lost revenue, etc. so they altered that plan on Sunday and announced that it would be regionally organized and that our area would have the census this Friday and Saturday. (Of course, most of the people don't get news because they have no TV and the lack the extra cash to purchase a paper so the news is announced the good-ole-way -- word of mouth.) So, plans have been changing around here all week. First, the word was -- no movement all week. Then it was -- no movement Friday and Saturday. Then, Jim got two opposing emails late last night that lead us to total bewilderment. So, this morning, Lucy (who is staying at the maid's quarters all week just to avoid confusion and getting stuck off-camp) said that the census began this morning -- hearing it from a worker who snuck down the streets early.

Indeed, no contractors or workers who live off the camp have arrived, today. So, the census has begun. What does that mean? Well, everyone has to stay in their residence until a census-taker has counted their heads, filled out papers, and marked their thumb with permanent ink. Then, they are free to move if they carry their papers with them. Most of the average Nigerians have no address. And you thought "turn left at the big oak tree just past Pete's red barn" was bad. In the cities it's more like clusters of families, maybe 20 groups, all living in one area that has no address -- shanties attached or leaning on each other. In the villages it's just huts under trees that are accessible by river or by foot paths. Certainly, these areas have never been mapped. (In fact, getting a detailed map of the cities is even impossible.)

So, I figure that the officials already have a number in mind. To be accurate they should probably say that Nigeria's population is 250 million, plus or minus one hundred million. In the mean time, people are without income for three days -- a serious thing when you eat what you earn each day.

And about pictures. Many of you have emailed requests for more photos. I spent 2 hours on it already this morning to no avail. With dial-up, very slow dial-up that is, the ability to load photos goes in spurts but you never know it will it's a good spurt until you try. So, I will try again. Thanks for your patience!