NPC States Reasons for Census Postponement
By Daniel Agada, Jos
The National Population Commission,NPC, has dispelled insinuation that lack of money hampered the conduct of census slated for May 3rd to 7th 2023, citing government transition and post election mood as major reasons.
The commission urged Nigerians to remain focus as census taking is a collective responsibility of all.
The NPC Federal Commissioner, Plateau state, Mrs.Cecilia Dapoet while speaking during breakfast morning show in Jo’s on Friday, revealed
“the Commission is compelled to take necessary steps to correct the impression that the 2023 Population and Housing Census is postpone because of lack of funds. The real reason is not money, but governments’ transition programme and post-election mood in the country.
“We are set to conduct the first digital census in Nigeria. Presently, we have purchased the handheld devices to be used to capture data and are safely stored at the Central Bank in Jos. This also means the software is ready in hand.
“I assure you that before the process was paused shortly to allow for a smooth transition of administration and the mood from the 2023 general elections to calm down, the Commission had already put all things in place ready for the Census exercise to take off.
“The Census exercise was earlier scheduled for 3rd to 7th May, 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.
“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. I assure you it is done in the national interest,” Dapoet stated.
She further mentioned that the postponement will allow for adequate participation of this new administration.”Presently we are getting our new leaders acquainted with the methodology and processes adopted for the current Census 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. There is always room for improvement on the process.”
Dapoet affirmed that the Commission is committed to safeguard all resources expended as they await the new date for the Census exercise.
