Buhari to WASTE Money on 2018 National Population Census

​– President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government will spend N222 billion on the 2018 National Population and Housing Census, its Chairman, Chief Eze Duruiheoma, has said

– Chief Eze Duruiheoma, he said the money would pay for hand-held devices, engagement of 1.5 million field workers; training field officers and other activities

The President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government will spend N222 billion on the 2018 National Population and Housing Census, its Chairman, Chief Eze Duruiheoma, has said.

According to Chief Eze Duruiheoma, he said the money would pay for hand-held devices, engagement of 1.5 million field workers; training field officers and other activities.

He said the commission was aware of concerns in some quarters about the affordability of its budget.

Duruiheoma spoke in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, at the review workshop of Phases 1 and 2 of Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) as well as training of trainers

The NPC chief, however, noted that the benefit of the census outweighed financial considerations.

“There is no better time to conduct a census than in this period of recession. Coming out of a recession is definitely a complex and difficult task that can be made easier through demographic data as a compass for economic revival.

“Census will serve as a guide in identifying human elements that can be exploited for development process and formation of people-responsive welfare programme.”

The NPC boss said the budget was spread over four years to handle different components of the census. He noted that the EAD was the bedrock of census and the basis for planning and execution of the census project.

The NPC chief explained that the EAD involved the division of the country into small geographical areas to facilitate enumeration and scientifically verify doubts and contentions.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the EAD exercise is not the enumeration of persons living in the country and its outcome will not in any way determine the population of any community, local government or state,” he said.

He stressed the need for the training the trainers’ exercise, saying: “The quality of the personnel for the EAD has great impact on the outcome.”

Duruiheoma said the commission would ensure the EAD was carried out meticulously, professionally and scientifically.

He urged Nigerians not to treat census as an extension of politics driven by narrow political consideration at the expense of national interest.