TheCable

Hassan Bashir, acting chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), says the commission is trying its possible best to get President Muhammadu Buhari’s consent to conduct the next population census.

The NPC acting chair spoke while addressing journalists during the commencement of the fieldwork for the continuation of the enumeration area demarcation (EAD) exercise on Thursday.

“We are waiting for the confirmation and proclamation from President Muhammadu Buhari before we know the date for the next census,” Bashir said.

“Until there is a proper planning, the nation will not be able to plan effectively. We are proud to say that Mr. President is doing very well in the provision of infrastructure. We are convinced that he will continue to provide infrastructure for the commission.”

According to him, the EAD, which commenced on March 21, will come to an end on April 13, 2019 across 23 states of the federation.

Ghaji Bello, NPC director general, also spoke about the budgetary provision for the proposed census.

“I agree with you that there is no provision for the Census in the 2019 budget. Normally, it is done within a wide service vote, which is directly under the presidency,” he told reporters.

“When proclamation is made by President Muhammadu Buhar, we are hopeful, having put the elections behind us, we are of the view and we are pushing very hard that Mr. President will graciously look at the commission favorably so that we can have the next census because without the census there will be no planning.”

The commission also said it will need more than N220 billion (for logistics) to conduct the proposed population census.

In 2017, NPC had said at least N220 billion would be needed to conduct the next census.