Akwanga, Nov. 4, 2023 – The National Population Commission (NPC) says the N200 billion allocated for the 2023 national population and housing census was judiciously spent.
It said the N200 billion was spent on procurement of items for the census.
Nasir Kwarra, the Executive Chairman of the commission, said this on Friday at the flag-off of training of interviewers for the 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) in Akwanga, Nasarawa State.
“I can assure you that the money was judiciously utilised. The procurement of items are for the next census and we do not have to procure these items again. The training we conducted remains with the people we have trained. That is the facilitators, the supervisors and enumerators.
“So, what we need to do is to do a refresher training. I still believe that Nigeria needs this census.
“Let me reiterate that the commission attaches a lot of importance to the outcome of the 2023 NDHS in terms of complimenting the 2023 census in the provision of data for development.
“Though the NDHS coverage is low, being a survey but it will generate more detailed data that will be useful for planning purposes especially in fertility, family planning, reproductive health etc.
“This detailed information will help the commission in consolidating the achievements of the next census.
“The stakes are high; the information we gather and the insights we develop have the capability to influence health and social policies, not just for the immediate future, but for a long time to come.
“It’s not simply about numbers and data; it’s about human lives, about the well-being of our communities, and the future trajectory of our nation,” he said. (GBN)
