Inadequate funds cripples population census in Nigeria (NPC)

Inadequate fund has crippled the conduct of population census in Nigeria. Investigations conducted by our correspondent revealed that the last population census was done in 2006 and the next one suppose to have been conducted in 2016, but almost a year after, there was no sign that the population will be carried out this year.

Our source from the National Population Commission (NPC) said that the Commission was ready but there was no fund and proclamation by government to proceed with the work. “More importantly, we need money and thereafter proclamation for census to commence” a source from NPC hinted.

It was gathered that NPC was depends on government and whenever the government is ready, the workers are ready. “We are going on with the preparation” a worker who decline given her name said. She said that last population was conducted in 2006.

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Speaking with Daily Times in Calabar, the Cross River State Director of NPC, Mr Billy Bassey Eteng lamented the inability of government conducting population census as and when due and blamed it on none release of funds.

“Our challenge is that we have to wait for government to make releases to us to continue with the work otherwise, there is no other challenge”

He said that the commission was currently doing enumeration area demarcation, so as the commission get releases from government; they go ahead with the project and added “We are waiting for government to give us a go ahead”

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“We are waiting for government to come up with proclamation on census, the last census was in 2006 and the next one supposes to be 2016. Our staffs are on ground, our facilities are on ground and we have our offices ready but even that is not a challenge”

He further said, “We are just waiting for government as they release, we go ahead, it even better for us because it gives us time to do the job properly” he stated.