…As NOA Calls For Collaboration
FIC Report (Abia State) – Federal Commissioner National Population Commission (Abia State), Chief Johnny Nwanne Nwabuisi has disclosed that the Commission has commenced the conduct of Trial Census in preparation for the Year 2023 Population and Housing Census.
Briefing the Press in Umuahia, Chief Nwabuisi pointed out that Trial Census which will cover nine (9) out of the 17 L.G.As of the State, will enable the Commission to test run all the equipment and other arrangement in preparation of 2023 Population and Housing Census.
According to him the nine Local Government Areas selected include Abia North: Bende (Isiegbu); Ohafia ( Nkporo Etitiama) and Isuikwuato (Umunneukwu agbo); Abia Central: Umuahia North (Mbaocha Ohokobe-Ndume); Isialangwa North (Alaukwu Omoba); and Osisioma (Ahiaba Abayi Ogbuligba); and Abia South: Aba North (Okpokoroala Umunneato); Obingwa (Ovom Amairiabuo); and Owerre Aba in Ugwunagbo L.G.A.
He disclosed that the exercise commenced in the State from 13th July, 2022 stating that the Enumerators are currently moving round the selected Communities of the L.G.As, numbering houses and enumerating Members of the Households.
Nwabuisi also disclosed the preparedness of the Commission to conduct a Census that will be incontestable and acceptable by all in the year 2023, assured that the Commission will minimize human error to the barest minimum with the use of technology.
He emphasised that the outcome of the 2022 Trial Census would not form the basis of the 2023 Census as the Trial Census is a ‘Census Dress Rehearsal.’
He solicited the support and cooperation of all Stakeholders towards the success of the exercise.
Lending his voice, the State Coordinator of the Trial Census, Mr. Adebayo Olayide urged communities s cooperate with the NPC Staff to perform their assignment effectively and efficiently.
Speaking also, the Abia State Population Committee Chairman, Chief Eric Acho Nwakanma represented by the Secretary of the Committee, Mr. Charles Amah said that Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu led administration set up a Population Committee for the purpose of liaising with the Federal Government in ensuring that the next Population Census would be seamless in the State.
He maintained that the collation of reliable data on population is a key requirement for effective planning and National Development pointing out that periodic census was critical to National Development as government at all levels needed to know the exact number of people they were serving and how best to apportion resources.
While encouraging Traditional Rulers to assist pass on the message to the households at the grassroots, he charged the Local Government Leaders to live up to their expectations and to help the Commission achieve its assignment.
The State Director of National Orientation Agency, Dr. Lady Ngozi Okechukwu in her remarks, noted that NOA is critical Stakeholder in National Development hence, the need for the Population Commission to carry them along to assist sensitize the public, using their Community Mobilization Officers spread across the 17 Local Government Areas of the State, on the importance of the Trial Census.
Contributing, the State Chairman Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Ndubuisi Nwabekee represented by the third Deputy Chairman, Eze Godfrey Onwuka encouraged the Commission to reach out to the Traditional Rulers at the Local Government Areas to enable them carry the message of participation to the nooks and crannies of their Communities.
