NPC kick-starts enumeration area demarcation in Ozoro

The National Population Commission (NPC), on Tuesday kicked-off the phase three of Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) in Ozoro Community, Headquarters of Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, with a call on the people of the area to support and cooperate with the commission during period of the exercise.
Delta State Director, National Population Commission, Dr.Tunde Lakoju, who flag-off ceremony held at the NULGE Hall in Isoko North Local Government Council, Secretariat, noted that fifty persons demarcation team has been recruited and are being trained to carry out the functions in Isoko North Local Government Area.
In an augural speech, Dr. Lakoju stated that the EAD will commence from February 20 through March 10 noting that Isoko North Local Government Area which is the second in the state has been selected for the exercise.
While noting that the commission previously demarcated 37 local government areas in all the 36 States of the federation and the federal capital territory under the previous phases of EAD, Lakoju stated that the remaining Local Government Areas will be covered under its subsequent phases.
According to him, “Arrangements for the uninterrupted implementation of the EAD exercise in rhe remaining LGAs have been concluded. A 50 person demarcation team has been recruited and are being trained from 13th to 19th February 2017 for this phase and subsequent phase of the EAD in Delta State.
“To us at the commission, the signifance of the EAD exercise goes beyond the conduct of the 2018 Census as we plan to establish and maintain a national frame including locality list and house numbering for future censuses and surveys in line with the mandate of the commission under Section 24 of the third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution.
“It is our expectation that what will be required for future censuses will be updating. Products from the EAD exercise can also be used by NIPOST to generate zip codes for the country,” he affirmed.
Lakoju said that adequate logistics have been put in place for effective deployment of personnel and materials during the exercise, adding that “barring fund constraint, the commission should be able to complete the EAD before the end of the year and well ahead of the first quarter date for the conduct of the 2018 population census.”
He also solicited for the support of the Delta State Government and that of security agencies to ensure adequate security of personnel and materials during the exercise, just as he solicited the assistance of Isoko North Local Government Council and traditional institution in the provision of accommodation for field staff.
Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Council, Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor, assured the National Population Commission of the council’s readiness to work and support the commission to have a successful EAD.
Egbabor expressed gladness for the commencement of EAD in Isoko North Local Government Council which he described as a ” home of peace and hospitality.” He enjoined the people of the area to join hands with the council and the commission to ensure a hitch free EAD.