NAN-H-105
Census
By Akeem Abas
Igbeti (Oyo State), Feb. 16, 2017 (NAN) Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has enjoined the National Population Commission (NPC) to ensure objectivity and fairness in the conduct of the 2018 census, saying that any error would undermine the integrity of the exercise.
The governor made the disclosure at the flag-off of the 3rd phase of the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) at Igbeti Town Hall, Olorunsogo Local Government area of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EAD exercise is scheduled to hold between Feb. 20 and March 10.
Ajimobi, who was represented by Mr Bimbo Kolade, the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, urged the NPC to note the peculiar nature of rural communities.
He noted that the census figures returned for the state over the years was not a fair reflection of the demography of the state, adding the state has a large expanse of land area with considerable population.
“The issues of population and housing census are important tools in social and economic configuration.
“They are important indices on the development chart that reveal the potency for economic activities as well as guide developmental initiatives,” he said.
The governor urged the NPC to guide against error of omission or commission, adding that under enumeration of a state would affect the integrity of the final census figures.
He said that such error would have debilitating effects on development planning and resources to be made available for the well-being and the development of the state.
Ajimobi appealed to stakeholders and the people of the state to cooperate with enumerators by allowing them to move freely.
“I implore our people to give them access to their buildings/housing units and respond truthfully to all inquiries during the demarcation to have a fruitful exercise,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, the NPC in the state has called for the support of stakeholders as it commences the third phase EAD.
Dr Eyitayo Oyetunji, the NPC Federal Commissioner in the state, said that the EAD constituted the foundation on which the entire census architecture stands.
“ In order to effectively enumerate all persons resident in the country, there is need to divide the whole land mass of the country into small units.
“This will allow for easy coverage by a team of enumerators during the census enumeration coming up in 2018,’’ he said.
He said the commission had adopted meticulous and gradual approach to the 2018 census EAD that allows for practical experimentation of the methodology and necessary adjustment in implementation and flexibility.
The commissioner emphasised that the significance of the EAD exercise was beyond the conduct of the 2018 census.
Oyetunji stated that the commission planned to establish and maintain a national frame, which included locality list and house numbering for future censuses and surveys in line with its mandate.
He solicited the support of the local government, traditional institutions and the communities.
Oyetunji , who said the EAD was not the enumeration of persons living in the country, added that the outcome would not determine the population of a community.(NAN)
TAA/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)