In a recent breakfast meeting with media professionals at De-Bridge Hotel in Jos, the Federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission in Plateau State, Mrs. Cecilia Dapoet, shed light on the reasons behind the postponement of the highly anticipated 2023 census. The meeting aimed to provide clarity and dispel any misconceptions surrounding the decision.
Mrs. Dapoet expressed her sincere gratitude to the attending media professionals for their prompt response to the invitation, acknowledging their unwavering support in fulfilling the commission’s mandate of providing accurate demographic data for the nation. She reiterated the commission’s steadfast commitment to conducting a reliable and credible census for the benefit of Nigeria.
The National Population Commission had made substantial progress in preparing for the census, undertaking vital activities such as the Enumeration Area Demarcation Exercise, the First and Second Census Pretests, the Trial Census, and recruitment exercises. However, the commission was on the cusp of conducting the final training for enumerators and supervisors when the decision to postpone was made.
Contrary to speculations circulating in the public space, Mrs. Dapoet clarified that the postponement was not a consequence of inadequate funding, as some had presumed. Rather, it was a strategic decision influenced by the government’s ongoing transition program and the prevailing post-election atmosphere in the country. The commission exercised prudence to prevent any potential instability and wisely chose to delay the census accordingly. Mrs. Dapoet emphasized that this decision was made in the best interest of the nation.
The postponement will allow the new administration to actively participate in the census process. Utilizing this additional time, the commission is taking the opportunity to re-evaluate their Census Work-plan and introduce necessary enhancements to optimize the implementation methodology and ensure a successful outcome.
Importantly, the National Population Commission remains steadfast in its commitment to preserving all resources allocated for the census, ensuring their judicious utilization while awaiting the announcement of the new census date. Learning from past experiences marred by issues like undercounting, multiple counting, and inaccurate enumeration, the commission has implemented measures to mitigate political interference during the census process, fostering transparency and reliability.
Mrs. Dapoet appealed to the attending media professionals to relay this clarifying message to the citizens of Plateau State, emphasizing the commission’s continued reliance on their unwavering support and cooperation as they navigate the preparations for the upcoming census.
In conclusion, Mrs. Cecilia Dapoet expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the steadfast support received, extending blessings to the National Population Commission, Plateau State, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria as they work collectively towards conducting a comprehensive and accurate 2023 census.