As the National Population Commission (NPC) puts in finishing touches to ensure the smooth conduct of the 2023 population census, the Chairman of the Commission, Nasir Isa Kwarra, has assured Nigerians of a credible exercise that cannot be manipulated.
The Chairman also revealed that the census is expected to hold from March 29 to April 1, 2023.
He pointed out that a portal has been opened for young Nigerians to apply as ad-hoc staff and that it has started training for the facilitators.
According to him, recruitment of the ad-hoc staff is local based as they are to be recruited from the localities they reside and carryout their livelihood.
The NPC Chairman, who briefed State House correspondents after having an audience with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the exercise will be different from the previous ones marred by controversies as it will be conducted with high-end technology.
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He said the Commission will make use of Global Positioning System (GPS) and satellite images, noting that every building in the country has already been coded for the purpose.
Kwarra said the demarcation of enumerations areas has been completed, affirming that the exercise proper will take place between late March and early April.
Speaking against the worrisome security situation in parts of the country, he hoped that the exercise can be conducted smoothly in the areas affected.
‘By March 29 to April 2, our staff will be in the field enumerating people,’ said Kwarra.
He said the technological tools to be deployed will be able to code buildings and landmass, detailing information such as location, landscapes, etc.
He also noted that non-Nigerians will be counted so long as they are in the country at the time of the exercise.
In the 2023 Appropriation Act, the Federal Government earmarked N40 billion for the National Population.