Government, yesterday, refused to comment on its plans to conclude Census 2010 as it heralded efforts to promote statistics and the work of statisticians worldwide.

The Island is to join members of CARICOM celebrating Caribbean Statistics Day today, and will next week join more than 100 countries in observing World Statistics Day.

Census 2010 began May 20 and stopped on September 30 with less than 50 percent of residents interviewed.

This newspaper has tried unsuccessfully to get an update since October 5, but has not had questions answered.

Statistics director Valerie Robinson-James said at the end of last month she wasn't in a position to confirm how many households had been interviewed.

No further information on Census 2010 was given yesterday.

A press release highlighted how statistical data helped create such Government policies as FutureCare and the child day care allowance programme.

"Officers in the Department of Statistics are very much proud of their accomplishments in the development and production of official statistics for Bermuda over the past years," Mrs. Robinson-James said.

"They strive to implement and maintain the highest statistical standards and adhere to international best practices to deliver good, quality data to serve everyone in society. In the absence of statistical data, government, business and individuals will be challenged in making informed decisions about every day matters."

Meanwhile, Opposition leader Kim Swan urged Government to come clean with its plans.

"It's very important that we get the census right. It provides essential information for Government planning in a broad range of areas, particularly social support services," he said.

"We recognise the challenges in gathering information, particularly from a populace that is increasingly distrustful of the government. Nevertheless, we implore people to cooperate. It is for a good cause."

He continued: "As for the Government, we are once again concerned that it is simply failing to perform basic tasks. It has had a lot of time to prepare for the census and in full awareness of the challenges that come with completing it.

"We urge it to apply a full-court press to the problem. This must be handled as a priority.

"That its officials and minister in charge are failing to answer questions raises doubts about whether they have a plan to get the job done.

"To fail at this exercise would be a great disservice to the island going forward. We hope the Government understands this."

The first-ever World Statistics Day will be celebrated next Wednesday.

Residents are invited to visit www.statistics.gov.bm on Statistics Day and participate in an interactive statistical quiz designed to test the knowledge of Bermuda statistics. And to expand awareness of the importance of statistics, Department staff will be making a presentation to students on the everyday use of statistics next week.