Census shift, NPC’s opportunity to perfect outcome – Anambra commissioner

By Praise Chinecherem

Anambra State government has described federal government’s postponement of 2023 Population and Housing Census of the National Population Commission (NPC) as right step in the right direction.

Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu stated this on Friday in Awka during a one day breakfast meeting with media executives in line with postponement of the exercise.

He said insisting on holding the census as earlier scheduled would have resulted to stampede, saying its shift would afford the Commission the opportunity to perfect the project which would be holistic and acceptable.

He said, “I’m aware the chains of meeting the Commission has had with the government, including enlightenment campaign targeted at educating the public before the postponement was announced.

“But it’s a good thing it has to be suspended for the new administration because if they had done it at the twilight of the outgone administration, it would have tantamounted to a stampede, particularly in view of the importance of the exercise.

“Census is not something you do in a hurry. I want to believe that when the Census will be holding eventually, it would be holistic and done the way our counterpart hold theirs.

“All those targeted to benefit from the exercise would be captured and every sector will have a take-away. It will also offer the commission the opportunity to plan better and perfect the exercise.”

Nwosu further commended NPC for organizing the event, describing it as demonstration of her confidence in the media to assist her offer the nation a credible and reliable headcount.

“I would have been suprised if this kind of event is not holding given the amount of efforts both the government and commission have put in trying to ensure a successful census, especially in Anambra.

“Today’s engagement is a demonstration of importance the commission attaches to the role of journalists in the exercise. It is also opportunity to hear from the horses mouth that the exercise was not cancelled, but shifted,” he added.

Earlier, Federal Commissioner representing Anambra State in the Commission, Chidi Ezeoke reassured the Commission’s preparedness to deliver on its mandate.

He expressed optimism of soon announcement of a new date for the exercise by the new administration to ensure the resources, energy and time so far committed would not be wasted.

“We’re laying foundation in this forthcoming census being the first ever digital type in the country. We’re hoping the new government will take advantage of it for proper planning and development,” he said.

State Director, NPC, Dr. Joachin Ulasi hinted that preparations for the headcount started in 2014, noting that the 21 Local Government Areas in the State had already been properly demarcated for the success of the exercise.

State Council Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Dr. Odogwu Emeka described postponement of the exercise as blessing in disguise, urging the NPC to take advantage of the shift to ensure more aggressive public and grassroots enlightenment towards a successful headcount.