The Federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission (NPC) in Enugu State, Hon. Ejike Ezeh, has emphasized the importance of accurate census data for national planning. He stated that as the search for palliatives to offset the effects of fuel subsidy removal continues, an accurate census should guide President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s administration.
During a recent breakfast meeting with Media Executives in Enugu State, Hon. Ezeh expressed optimism that President Tinubu would set a new date for the 2023 National Population and Housing Census, which was postponed due to the 2023 general elections.
He stressed that census information is crucial for tracking progress towards development goals and is needed for various aspects of planning, such as assessing demographic and socio-economic trends, designing poverty reduction strategies, and monitoring policy effectiveness.
In relation to the removal of fuel subsidy, Hon. Ezeh highlighted that reliable census data would greatly assist President Tinubu in addressing the socio-economic challenges that arise. He stated that a credible census would guide the federal government in planning effective palliative measures.
Hon. Ezeh commended the decision to postpone the census, as it allowed the new administration to contribute to the process. This postponement also provided the National Population Commission the opportunity to further enhance its systems and processes for conducting the first-ever digital National Population and Housing Census in Nigeria.
The Commissioner emphasized the importance of sustaining and reinforcing the preparatory activities already undertaken to ensure a successful census in 2023. He clarified that the commission is currently reviewing the processes and systems in place to determine necessary adjustments and prevent them from becoming obsolete.
Hon. Ezeh highlighted the comprehensive preparations that have been made, including the Enumeration Area Demarcation, recruitment and training of census field staff, and establishment of ICT infrastructure across the country. He assured that the commission would safeguard all the resources expended and avoid starting from scratch when the census is conducted.
Regarding the recruitment of ad-hoc workers, Hon. Ezeh stated that the process was completed before the postponement, with one million workers being screened and found eligible. The data from these recruits, including their contact details, is available for future use, and a reserve of personnel is prepared to handle attrition.
The Commissioner informed that the commission has acquired Personal Digital Assistants for the census, with 500,000 devices already delivered and configured. Adequate measures have been taken to ensure the storage and security of these devices.
Extensive advocacy and publicity efforts have been made for the 2023 National Population and Housing Census, including media campaigns and collaboration with stakeholders through the inauguration of Census Publicity Committees. Publicity materials in English and local languages have been disseminated, and social media has been utilized extensively.
Hon. Ezeh stressed the significance of census data, citing the provision in the Nigerian Constitution for conducting the census and the United Nations’ recommendation for countries to hold population and housing censuses at least once every ten years. He acknowledged that the last census in Nigeria was conducted in 2006, hindering planning for socio-economic development.
The forthcoming census aims to correct this anomaly and provide essential population information for development planning, poverty reduction, and policy evaluation. It is imperative that accurate census data is utilized for effective national planning, including the development of palliatives in response to fuel subsidy removal.
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