NPC Anambra Holds One-day Breakfast Meeting For Media Executives, Other Stakeholders On Postponement Of 2023 Population and Housing Census
The National Population Commission (NPC) has said that the 2023 Population and Housing Census was postponed for peace and unity and not due to insufficient funds, as being speculated in some quarters.
NPC Federal Commissioner representing Anambra State, Sir Chidi Ezeoke, disclosed this on Friday, 9th June, 2023, during a breakfast meeting with Media Executives and other stakeholders in Awka, the state capital.
The Federal Commissioner informed that the main reason for postponing the Census was not lack of money, but government’s transition programme and post-election mood in the country.
He explained that huge progress had already been made before it was postponed, and expressed hope that the present administration would oversee the Census and ensure its successful conclusion.
The Federal Commissioner noted, “The Census exercise was earlier scheduled for May 3-7, 2023, but was postponed,
giving rise to many insinuations in the public space regarding the reason for the postponement and these even though are mere speculations had been given much media attention.
“The Commission is compelled to take necessary steps to correct the impression that the 2023 Population and Housing Census is postponed because of lack of funds.
“The real reason is not lack of money, but government’s transition programme and post-election mood in the country.
“We all saw the cloud of uncertainty that hung above the nation after the elections and were careful not to fall into some pitfalls and plunge the country into more trouble. We cannot take things for granted, and decided to postpone the exercise,” he informed.
The Commissioner expressed optimism that the postponement of the national Population and Housing Census would afford the new administration, to prepare adequately for the exercise.
“We are using the opportunity offered by this postponement to re-assess our Census Work-plan and to inject any input that would add value to the strategies for implementing the methodology for optimal success.
“We need to reassure you that the coming Census will not be like the previous exercises which were marred by incidences of undercounting, multiple counting and inaccurate enumeration leading to lack of trust in the census data and making it difficult to use for planning and development purposes.
“We have also put some measures in the process to curtail incidences of political interferences with the census process”.
Sir Chidi thanked Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his massive support to the Commission especially in ensuring conducive environment for NPC officers across the 21 council areas of the state.
Speaking, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, who is also the Chairman of the Publicity Committee, said NPC and the state government have done much in creating awareness by sensitizing, enlightening and educating the citizens on the need to participate fully during the Census.
The Information Commissioner posited that much has been done in engaging the media as well as town union Governments and other community Leaders to ensure that the message gets to the grassroots.
He expressed hope that when eventually conducted, it will meet expectations of Nigerians as regards using reliable data for sustainable national development.
The Anambra State Director of the NPC, Dr. Joachim Ulasi, on his part, noted that all the buildings, including Churches, Mosque, eatery centres, poultry farms, shopping complexes and hotels across the 21 local government areas of the state has been adequately enumerated for the exercise.
Dr Ulasi explained that preparations for the exercise started in 2014, pointing out that the 21 LGAs in Anambra State had been properly demarcated in readiness for the excersice, and media establishments for their supports so far.
He further urged the people of the state to give maximum support to the Commission to achieve the desired objectives.
Head of Technical, NPC, Mrs Chinyere Mmaduagwuna, hinted that all the processes are fully digitalized, and that indigenously produced softwares will be used during the Census to enable the commission to generate reliable data for development planning in Nigeria and Anambra State in particular.
The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Anambra State Council, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, as well as other media executives and practitioners at the event called for proper use of the media and local announcers in sensitizing citizens on the importance of the exercise, and to ensure safety of field workers.
