The National Population Commission (NPC), has said the conduct of the 2023 National Population and Housing census exercise will not stop despite the security challenges confronting the country.
The Federal Commissioner, NPC, in Niger State, Muhammad Dattijo Usman stated this at the opening of a two-day State Level Compendium of Localities Workshop organized by the NPC to finalize and present to the grassroots the final list of localities for the census in Minna.
He said,“the issue of insecurity is abating and we have factored all the arrangements having spoken with the security agencies and local Communities, we have their cooperation. So, I do not think the insecurity challenges will stop us from conducting the 2023 Census”
The NPC commissioner explained that in the first census trial conducted earlier, Niger State came first while assuring that after the main census exercise, they would be adjudged the best again.
“As I am talking to you, my people are currently in three local government areas of Rafi, Shiroro and Mariga trying to conclude the areas we could not do when we did the trial last year”.
“We are looking at our instrument, especially the internet aspect and then recruitment for adhoc work. We have perfected the recruitment process and we are ready because about two million Nigerians will be recruited for the work,” he revealed.
Usman also said the Commission is prepared to compile all the localities demarcated during the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) on local government area basis showing the coverage and location on interactive maps.
However, he warned that more localities will not necessarily translate to a higher population for any LG hence the need for critical stakeholders to provide accurate data.
The commissioner further decried the lack of commitment by key stakeholders who ought to be at the forefront of ensuring that the state is properly remunerated.
Speaking, a former Permanent Secretary, Niger State Ministry of Information and Culture, Abdullahi Paiko appealed for more commitments by relevant stakeholders to ensure the success of the exercise in the state.
He explained that the exercise would bridge the gap between north and south, arguing that the, “Southern part of the country is far ahead and this is not good enough for us”.