Chairman and members, House Committee on Population of the House of Representatives have called on the Federal Government, to as a matter of urgency, conduct the population and housing Census to produce accurate data for national planning and development.
Hon. Okunjimi John Odimayo,Chairman, House Committee on Population, made the call on Monday during the budget defence by the Chairman and management of National Population Commission(NPC) in Abuja.
Odimayo pointed out that NPC had reached an advanced stage in its preparations for the forthcoming Census.
He added that already over N250 billion had been expended on the preparations for the population and housing Census, warning that if the delay continues, NPC would be compelled to buy some items again, which the Commission had already bought.
He said: “We have just returned back from the retreat organised by the Commission for the Chairman and members, House Committee on Population.
“What I can say is that the Commission is more than prepared to conduct population and housing Census.
“The Commission presented to us some of the major items that were purchased. They disclosed to us that they have gone far in preparation, up to 80 per cent.
“We are very much convinced that NPC is ready for the Census.
“So against the backdrop by a motion calling for the investigation of how money was expended by the Commission, with what we have seen so far, they have justified the fact that the money was not wasted. They have prepared to conduct Census.
“Some of items they purchased were kept in the Central Bank of Nigeria. Some of the items such as indelible ink can no longer be used.”
“As legislator, our concern is that this process should be completed. For the first time in Nigeria, the nation will have an accurate data which will be useful for all sectors of the economy.”
Odimayo further underscored the need for Nigeria to have accurate and reliable data for planning, adding that with conduct of Census, plethora of nation’s challenges would be addressed.
He noted that the security challenge plaguing the nation would be addressed with the proposed digital census.
Odimayo further underscored the need for the completion of the headquarters of the Commission in Abuja, as well as provision of office accommodation in all local government areas.
Some of the members of the Committee who spoke during the budget defence pleaded with the executive arm of the government to expedite action on the conduct of the Census.
In his presentation, Nasir Isa Kwarra, Chairman of NPC, reiterated the irrevocable commitment of the Commission to conduct accurate and reliable data for the country.
Kwarra revealed that as part of preparations for the conduct of Census, that the second trial Census would be conducted, as well as update of Enumeration Area Map; household listing and building number, training of enumerators, publicity as well as review of recruitment of ad-hoc staff for the census would be done before the conduct of Census.
He therefore, solicited the support of the legislators to ensure the conduct of the forthcoming Census.
