The National Population Commission (NPC) has clarified the N200 billion expenditure on preparatory activities for the 2023 Population and Housing Census.
In a press briefing on Friday, June 16, 2023, the Director of Public Affairs Department, Dr. Isyaka Yahya, said that the expenditure was spread over a period of eight years, from 2014 to 2022.
Yahya said that the expenditure was incurred on a number of activities, including:
* Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD): This involved the division of the 774 Local Government Areas of the country into Enumeration Areas. The EAD was done digitally from 2014 to 2022.
* Pretests: The NPC conducted two pretests in 2021 and 2022 to test the methodology, processes and systems being put in place for the census.
* Trial Census: The NPC conducted a Trial Census in July 2022 to assess the overall preparedness for the conduct of the 2023 Census.
* Acquisition of hardware and software: The NPC procured hardware and software for the census, including Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), computers, laptops, printers, solar power systems, and software for data collection, storage, and processing.
* Training of personnel: The NPC trained over 62,000 facilitators and 850,000 supervisors and enumerators for the census.
* Mobilization of the citizenry: The NPC created awareness for the census through a variety of channels, including radio, television, print media, and social media.
Yahya said that the NPC was committed to conducting a credible and accurate census that would provide the country with the data it needed for planning and development. He urged Nigerians to cooperate with the NPC by providing accurate information during the census.
The 2023 Population and Housing Census is scheduled to take place in 2023.
The NPC’s clarification came after some media outlets reported that the N200 billion expenditure was a waste of taxpayer money. The NPC has earlier denied these allegations, stated that the expenditure was necessary to ensure a credible and accurate census.
The 2023 Population and Housing Census is a major undertaking for Nigeria. The data collected will be used to determine the country’s population, as well as its housing needs. The data will also be used to allocate resources and plans for the country’s future.
The NPC therefore urged Nigerians to cooperate with the census by providing accurate information during the census.
NPC decribed census as an opportunity for Nigerians to have their voices heard and to help shape the future of the country.
