Federal Govt To Spend N222bn For Biometric Devices,  To Engaged 1.5 Field Staff For 2018 Census

Rabiu Omaku

The chairman of the National Population Commission, Chief Eze Duruiheoma,SAN said N222bn was earmarked for the conduct of 2018 census, adding that the fund would be made available for the period of three years.

He stated this at the opening ceremony of the review workshop of phase 1 and 2 and the training of trainers for the 3 phase of the Enumeration Area Demarcation for 2018 Population and Housing Census held at Kini hotel, Akwanga, Nasarawa state.

He called on Nigerians to resist the crude temptation of treating census as an extension of politics and should not be driven by narrow political considerations at the expense of the collective interest of the national.

The chairman said census is all about planning for the welfare of the present and future generation, Nigerians should see census as a duty to restore and reinforce the integrity of the country, saying census is a tool for national planning.

“Population is the real treasures base of the nation, and the most valuable asset in the development process”.

The Enumeration of persons living in the country and it’s outcome will not in any way determine the population of every community.

He emphasized that the commission will count only persons present during head count exercise.

“The 2018 census will be biometric and data capture, we will only accord attention to people on ground during the exercise”.

He also point out that data capture and the use of facial impression and finger prints of person during the exercise would addressed the mistakes of 2006 census.

Chief Eze Duruiheoma, SAN said the commission is adopting a gradual but meticulous approach to ensure that methodology and strategies for EAD are well tested and the personnel for the exercise are adequately trained.

He affirmed that the gradual approach allows the methodology to be continuously fine-tuned to avoid past pitfalls and adjust to current realities.

The chairman said the objectives of the head counts and Area Demarcation (demographic data) will serve as guide in identifying human elements that can be exploited for development process and formulation of people responsive welfare programs as he opined that the EAD marks an irrevocable commitment to make a resounding success of the 2018 Population and Housing Census.

” The EAD is the bedrock of the census and forms the basis for the planning and execution of the census project “.

He appealed to state and local government, the traditional institution and Communities to give an unflinching support to the commission in carrying out the 2018 Census by allowing unfettered access to facilities and place to be demarcated.

The chairman senate committee on Population and Identity Management, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi commended the National Population Commission for the preparation ahead of time.

Hunkuyi asserted that the senate would give all necessary support to ensure that perfect, scientific and verifiable census was achieve in the first, second and third phase of the exercise.

He stressed the need for a defendable, dependable, credible and acceptable census to see the light of the day, Senator Hunkuyi also commended the Commission for engaging the service of competent hands.

The chairman senate committee on Population and Identity Management identified some of the huddles of 2006 census to include litigations over census figure, politicization of the exercise and amongst other impediment.

“The 2018 census would be a paradigm shift, assuring the nation of a fantastic and broad-based census through information and data gathering.

Calling for the need to update card readers and other software after two years of purchase, he also emphasized on the need to embark on field testing to avoid a replicate of what happened in 2015 general election.