Newsfront Online …Telling the Public as it is
…If 2023 Census Must Succeed In The State – NPC Fed. Comm
…As Stakeholders Call For Effective Participation By Political Office Holders
…Advocate For Local Content Of Adhoc Staffers
By Saviour Ekpe
The Federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission (NPC), Akwa Ibom State, Chief Engr. Benedict Ukpong has called on the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel to step up the support given to the commission to succeed in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Okete Okete Oro made this call while answering questions during the question and answers session at the Stakeholders Summit on 2023 Census on the theme, “2023 Census – Getting People Involved” held at Akpan Isemin Hall, Government House, Wellington Bassey End, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital yesterday. He said that support given to the commission by the State Government for the hosting of the summit is not up to two per cent in view of the total budget made for the event.
Engr. Ukpong, a former Deputy Governorship candidate in the state who was flanked by the State Director, National Population Commission (NPC), Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Emmanuel Edem, expressed dissatisfaction over the way the state government handles the census matter, noted that other states, their governors take full charge in terms of logistic supports and other critical areas of needs because of the attendant benefits of population census to states, “let me state here so that tomorrow, Akwa Ibom State people will not lay the blame on me if the census does not give the true reflection of the population of the state. The support given to the commission by the state government for this stakeholders’ summit is not up to two per cent and if it continues this way, I doubt if the high expectation from the commission will be a reality. Many people are saying that the commission is funded by the federal government, this is true but I tell you that if we go by the arrangement and provision of the federal government, we may not meet our target in view of the many unforeseen and logistic issues that may affect our operations. In terms of state government support, NPC in Akwa Ibom State is the least supported in the country. We most of the time, carry out peer review among ourselves, the support put in by other state government is a clear indication that those states are not playing politics with it”.
In his presentation on the topic, “the 2023 population and housing census: the journey so far”, the Federal Commissioner explained, “The Commission has introduced new technologies to ensure that the upcoming 2023 population and housing Census is credible, reliable, verifiable and acceptable by all. Another good aspect of the 2023 Census is that every EAD is unique, that is one cannot move from and assigned EAD to conduct census in another locality, the system will reject it”.
Different papers were presented by eminent scholar and Technical team members from the NPC including Prof. Ini Akpabio, “Imperative for the conduct of the 2023 population and housing census; International Standards and best practices in Modern Census taking”, “Digital Mapping for 2023 Census” as well as “Census Process: Methods and Innovations in the 2023 Population and Housing Census” all presented by NPC Technical team.
Stakeholders at the forum consenting to the overall benefits of census to a state, called for effective participation by political office holders and politicians irrespective of political party affiliation to show reasonable participation, interest and support to the National Population Commission to ensure the successful conduct of the 2023 population and housing census in the state. Other stakeholders advocate for the use of local content of Adhoc staffers as this according to them, will douse unnecessary bias and sentiments before, during and after the census.
Present at the stakeholder’s forum were the representatives of the Governor, Deputy Governor, Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. Others were the Executive Chairmen of Local Government Areas, Paramount Rulers; Heads of other Federal Government parastatals and Agencies in the state including the representative of the Commissioner of Police among others.
Goodwill messages were presented by National Orientation Agency; Traditional Rulers’ Council; Religious leaders; National Council for Women Societies (NCWS); National Youths Council; Civil Society Organisation; Trade Union Congress of Nigeria; Nigeria Bureau of Statistics etc.
