Jutha Gupah, Damaturu
The National Population Commission (NPC) in partnership with the Yobe state government is to sensitize stakeholders on credible 2023 population and housing census.
According to the Commission, the national headcounts provide tiers of governments with data for an effective resources’ allocations and planning for economic growth and development.
Declaring the Commission stakeholders’ Summit, yesterday (Wednesday), in Damaturu, Governor Mai Mala Buni, disclosed: “Stakeholders are actively engaged to understand and ensure what is expected of them for a successful and credible head and housing counts.”
The Summit, themed: “Getting People Involved,” will also contribute to the digitalized process of a successful census in April 2023.
Besides, he added that the housing and headcount exercise will also establish the numerical strength of various communities in the state.
“The 2023 Census provides us with statistics on gender, age group and other variables information for planning in the various economic sectors of the country,” he said.
He, therefore, insisted that the head count also serves as a guide to the judicious allocation and utilization of capital and human resources.
He noted that this could raise the living conditions of the people in rural and urban centres.
“No doubt, the census of a community will determine the required schools, health and water supply facilities and other public structures and institutions,” he said.
He, therefore, urged the Commission to consider the unfortunate displacement and relocations of various communities affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.
“Many residents were forcefully relocated from their ancestral homes to resettle in other liberated communities in Gujba, Gulani and Geidam, a border community with Niger,” he said.
Continued; “Insurgency had forced many people to relocate from their ancestral communities to resettle in other communities.
“There was mass influx of people from other states. Some of them have now settled permanently in the state.”
According to him, the state government is building new infrastructure facilities including the reconstruction and upgrade of others to meet the needs of affected communities.
“It becomes obvious for us to give the population and housing census the desired support and attention for a successful enumeration exercise,” he added, stating that the next year’s head count will support the recovery process of the state government.
He, therefore, urged the NPC to collaborate with governments, community and traditional leaders, civil society organisations and the media, while sensitizing the stakeholders on the 2023 Census.
End.
