The National Population Commission (NPC) has provided Benue State with a critical dataset, revealing that the state has 3.7 million buildings as of 2022.
The data collected during the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) exercise is expected to shape the state’s urban planning, housing policies, and infrastructure development.
During a strategic meeting at the NPC Headquarters in Abuja, NPC chairman Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra emphasised that the data includes geo-coordinates for every building in Nigeria, ensuring precise mapping for policy formulation and planning.
The meeting, which brought together key officials from Benue’s geographic and digital infrastructure agencies, focused on leveraging the data for development.
The statistician-general of Benue State, Mr Kumafan Dzaan, acknowledged the significance of the data, noting that Governor Hyacinth Alia had specifically requested housing statistics from the NPC to guide the state’s urban planning and policy initiatives.
“The insights from this data will shape our future development plans,” Dzaan said.
The NPC federal commissioner for Benue, Mrs Patricia Kupchi, called on the state government to strengthen collaboration with the commission to facilitate effective planning.
Similarly, Prof. Daniel Amine, the director-general of the Benue Geographic Information System (BENGIS), welcomed the dataset, stating that it will enhance land administration and infrastructure development.
The managing director of the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company, Mr Gbande Terwase, praised the NPC’s advanced data collection efforts, emphasising that the geospatial data would revolutionise evidence-based governance.
In her remarks, NPC’s director of cartography, Mrs Nkechi Odeh, stressed the importance of continuous collaboration between NPC and state agencies to improve data accuracy and capacity building.
“With Benue State gearing up for future infrastructure and housing development, the NPC’s comprehensive geospatial data emerges as a vital tool for evidence-based decision-making and sustainable growth.”
