President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says the essence of conducting the National Population Census in the country is to determine the country's progress as it proceeds with its development agenda. She says that with the successful conduct of the Census, Liberia has taken its rightful place.

The Liberian leader spoke today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when she announced the preliminary result of the National Population and Housing Census conducted in the country from March 20-21.

The President, realizing the difficulties encountered in the conduct of the Census after twenty-four years, commended the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) and other international partners for their efforts in successfully completing the Census.

She announced the preliminary population figure as 3,498, 072 (three million, four hundred and eight-nine thousand and seventy-two) persons. She noted, however, that the final result will be determined later, but added that this is not expected to significantly alter the figure. She also pronounced the cost of the Census at US$2.6 million dollars and lauded the United Nations System, the European Commission and others who provided a significant portion of the funding.

Also present at the program were Vice President, Joseph Boakai, and other officials of Government; Chief Justice, His Honor Johnnie Lewis; and United Nations Special Representative Ambassador Ellen Loj.