2006 Population Census: Governor Al-Makura Identifies Under Counting As A Major Impediment To Nasarawa State Progress
Rabiu Omaku
Following the lingering impasse between the National Population Commission and the Nasarawa State government over the figure of 2006 census in the state listing Nasarawa state as a state with a total figure of 1.8m people,the state governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has appealed to the Federal government to revisits areas affected in the last head count.
Al-Makura stated while declaring the ceremony of the review workshop of phase 1 and 2 and the training of trainers for phase 3 of the enumeration Area Demarcation for the 2018 Population and Housing Census held at kini Country Hotel, Akwanga Nasarawa state open.
The representative of the state governor, Ibrahim Musa identify some of the consequences of 2006 census to the present predicament of the state, he listed some of the issues to includes low revenue generation and preponderances in the payment of salaries.
“Nasarawa state was under counted in 2006 population census with the emerging figure of 1.8m population, as he confided that Karu axis alone can boast of 1.8m people, he described Karu as the fastest growing community in the country.
“Karu axis alone can boast of pulling something more reasonable”, calling on the Population commission to expedite action in doing the needful as he said the case was before census tribunal.
He commended the National Population Commission for the introduction of cutting edge devices for the conduct of 2018 census, stating that the introduction of high resolution Satellite and biometric technology to capture impression would produce better result than the 2006 census.
He called on traditional rulers, religious leaders and development partners to collaborate with the commission to support the phase 1,2 and 3 Enumeration Area Demarcation.
Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura also called on parents to give prior attention to births and deaths registration in the state.
Hon. Mohammed Abdulkadir Mahmud, the chairman House committee on Population in his goodwill message said the complaint of the government of Nasarawa was before all critical stakeholders.
Saying necessary action would be taken towards addressing the matter, Also speaking is the Paramount ruler of Akwanga, Chief Samson Gamo Yari identity some of the hiccups of 2006 census to include lack of motivation and absence of logistics as a serious challenge to the commission.
The monarch called on the trainers and trainees to remain focused and be dedicated to duty,saying the future of the country lies on 2018 census.
Samson Yari attested that enumerators were compelled to count goats, trees and sheep’s in 2006 head count ,It would be recalled that ten years after the conduct of census in the state the legal battle is yet to settle.
The federal commissioner of National Population Commission in the state, Hon Zakari Umaru Kigbu in his welcome address commended the commission for chosen Nasarawa state for the second time.
He gave the assurance that the 2018 census will be a marvelous one, calling on Nasarawa state indigents oneness and commitment towards the exercise.
