2005 census to hold in November, says official
From Seun Adeoye, Osogbo
AS the country prepares for the 2005 census, the Chairman of Publicity and Enlightenment Committee of the National Population Commission (NCP), Dr. Duro Famojuro, at the weekend disclosed that the exercise has been fixed for November.
Besides, he said that the assistance received from donor agencies towards the exercise led to the reduction of the earlier budget proposal of N40 billion to N30 billion.
Famojuro who represents Osun State at the commission spoke with reporters at Ilesa, adding that unlike the past census, the NPC this time around would adopt de-facto method.
In other words, if we don't see you, we don't count you. You can't expect that figure will just be quoted. If you are available, you will be counted. We want to disabuse the mind of Nigerians from what I would call stereotype figure.
He stated that the European Union (EU), the United States (U.S.) and British governments have indicated willingness to assist in the success of the head-count. He stressed "the assistance will come in kind, not necessarily in cash, like the procurement of equipment, vehicles and so on.
According to him: "The past census have been so controversial. People believe that we cannot do it correctly. And from such angle, we want to disabuse the mind of Nigerians that we will do it right this time."
He added that Nigeria SSAT 1 has been test-run for the purpose of the census in three locations in Lagos State and we want to extend it to the entire country.
So, seeing is believing, you see it yourself and can view it. Because we are counting people and counting houses at the same time. So, if you have 20 buildings and they said you have one million people living in them, then it is not true, he stated.
He explained: "The role of the National Assembly, the state and the local government chairmen is very crucial because these people are nearer to the people. Since, we have been able to carry them along with us; at least everybody will know what is going on."
Famojuro stated that about 30 to 40 per cent of the job has been done which involved demarcation process and recently, "we completed our data users workshop in Kaduna.
The herculian task is still ahead and that is the census itself and the accomplishment of these is the most important thing, he added.
The NPC commissioner further disclosed that by January, more permanent and ad-hoc staff would be recruited to complement the available personnel at the commission.`
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