By John Ikani
The National Population Commission (NPC) has provided an explanation for the postponement of the 2023 Population and Housing Census.
The census was initially scheduled for May 3, but has been postponed to after the May 29 presidential inauguration.
According to the Director of Public Affairs Department, Isiaka Yahaya, the census was rescheduled in order to calm nerves after the general elections, and not due to lack of funding or preparation.
“The census was merely rescheduled, because preparations have begun already… the issue of our preparedness is out of it,” said Yahaya to reporters in Abuja.
“The responsibility for funding is of the Federal Government, and it has lived up to expectations,” he added.
He further explained that the commission is fully prepared for the census, having conducted various exercises such as the enumeration/demarcation, first and second pre-test, and the trial census.
Yahaya emphasized that the issue of preparedness was not the reason for the rescheduling of the census.
Also speaking on preparedness, Census Manager Inuwa Jalingo added that the Commission is technically ready to implement the census as preparations for the exercise continue.
Jalingo noted that they have created a necessary system required to implement a digital census, starting with their software which was developed for the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD).
He further stated that they have developed systems that won’t allow the enumerators to go beyond the boundaries in which they are expected to enumerate, ensuring that the issue of overlap or under coverage has been taken care of in their planning.
He however disclosed that the salaries of the ad hoc staff have been put on hold due to the recent development.
