The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen has decried the delay in the conduct of national population census in Nigeria, saying it would have established the country’s numerical strength.
Abbas, who expressed his support for an order by President Bola Tinubu that the National Population Commission (NPC) should conduct a biometric census, said a national headcount was long overdue in the country.
The Speaker in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi expressed readiness to meet with President Tinubu after liaising with the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio on the matter.
Abbas stated this in Abuja on Tuesday when the board and management of the NPC paid him a courtesy call at the National Assembly, Abuja.
He told the delegation led by the NPC Chairman, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra which also has the Director-General of the Commission, Dr Ojogun Tellson Osifo in attendance the President had approved biometric-based census in 2025.
“It is unacceptable for a country as big as Nigeria to stay for 19 years without conducting a Population census,” the Speaker said.
He added that conducting the census would stop the uncertainties by critics who feel the country’s population is exaggerated.
The Speaker noted that “Statistics don’t lie,” expressing his belief that the biometric system is the only way to determine the actual population with less deployment of resources.
“I will be part of those who will engage Mr. President on the issue of conducting census this year,” Abbas announced.
While pointing out that the budget of the NPC was inadequate to conduct a successful census, the Speaker said the Federal Government may consider other sources of funds, including the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).
“I will see my counterpart in the Senate on how to see Mr President,” he said, adding that “it will be a historic thing” in Nigeria while it would also be “something that will immortalise his (President Tinubu’s) name.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the NPC briefed the Speaker on the plans for the census and the preparations made so far and sought the support of the National Assembly, especially regarding funding and enabling laws.
Hon. Kwarra disclosed that part of the plans for the exercise include acquisition of technology, recruitment and training of officials, establishment of a situation room as well as advocacy and stakeholders’ engagements.
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