NPC Set For April 2023 Housing And Population Census In Nigeria

…Commences Trial Census Nationwide in 4608 in Selected Localities

…Introduces Modern and New Technologies

…Warns Against Fraudsters, Says Commission Has Not Opened Portals For Application

…Uyo, Uruan, Ibiono Ibom, Ini, Abak, Etim Ekpo, Eket, Mkpat Enin and  Okobo LGAs Selected in AKS For Trial Census

By Saviour Ekpe

Ahead of April, 2023 National Housing and Population Census in Nigeria, the National Population Commission (NPC) has commenced field work of the Trial Census across the country.

Speaking to Newsmen in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission (NPC) in charge of Akwa Ibom State, Chief (Engr.) Benedict Ukpong, FNSE (Okete Okete Oro) said that all is set for the 2023 National Population and Housing Census in Nigeria, “The Trial Census is covering the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT. A total of six LGAs have been selected from the six Geo-political zones for full population enumeration while 45 Enumeration Areas (EAs) had been selected each from the remaining 31 States and the FCT. In total, 4608 EAs have been selected for the Trial Census to test run their suitability and readiness for the actual Census”.

In Akwa Ibom State, Nine LGAs have been selected according to the Federal Commissioner, from the three Senatorial Districts for the Trial Census as he explained that the selection was, “not based on any political consideration or personal biases …but was statically carried out to ensure a fair analysis of the condition and situation likely to affect the conduct of the actual Census in April, 2023 and prepare the commission to overcome such challenges”. The foolowing are the LGAs and localities to cover during the Trial Census.

UYO SENATORIAL DISTRICT:

Uyo LGA – Use Offot locality. Uruan LGA – Ine Mkparawa, Ine Moses, Ine Owod, Ine Amadung, Ine Oyom and parts of Adiadia and Ishiet Ekim localities. Ibiono Ibom LGA – Okoita locality.

IKOT EKPENE SENATORIAL DISTRICT:

Ini LGA – Ikot Etokeren and Ndiya Ikot Imo localities. Abak LGA – Edem Urua. Etim Ekpo LGA – Obong Ntak.

EKET SENATORIAL DISTRICT:

Eket LGA – Ikot Abia. Mkpat Enin LGA – Ikot Akata. Okobo LGA – Atiabong Nduong.

The Federal Commissioner repeatedly assured members of the public and stakeholders that, “the Commission is determined to successfully conduct the Trial Census in our quest to deliver a credible, reliable, acceptable and verifiable census to the nation”. He expressed the hope that modern technological equipment have been procured for the exercise, “the Commission has introduced new technologies such as CensusPad and CSPro to ensure that the upcoming Trial Census serves as a good rehearsal that will make the 2023 population and housing Census credible, reliable and acceptable”.

Engineer Ukpong solicited for cooperation, support and full participation of stakeholders especially those of the affected LGAs and localities for the Trial Census, “please cooperate with the enumerators by allowing them move freely within your community, giving them access to buildings in order to enumerate members of the household and provide adequate security for them and their equipment…answer all questions truthfully and avoid undue interference in the exercise…the state government, selected local government councils, our respected traditional rulers, community and religious leaders to support the commission to carry out this important national exercise”.

Answering questions on whether the census will hold in in view of past experiences, the Federal Commissioner explained that the April, 2023 dateline is certain and sacrosanct as National Council of States as chaired by the sitting President is made up of Vice Chairman: Vice President, Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria, All former Presidents of the Federation and all former Heads of the Government of the Federation, All former Chief Justices of Nigeria, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, All the Governors of the 36 states of the Federation, Attorney-General of the Federation sat and recommended to Mr. President and he has accepted to do it. Mr. President is ready to conduct census before he leaves office in 2023”.

Earlier in his welcome address, the State Director, National Population Commission (NPC), Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Emmanuel A. Edem noted that, “the Trial Census is a major pre-censal activity usually carried out to evaluate all the aspect of the census operation before the main census on a limited scale. It is to assist the commission test the census methodology and instruments earmarked for the conduct of the census in April, 2023”.

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