Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, has made case for a credible and reliable census exercise in Nigeria.
Otti who made the advocacy when he received in audience, the Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission, Abia State, Hon Emma Eke, and his management staff, stressed the importance of population census for planning and development purposes.
He noted that without reliable census data, it would be difficult for Government to have sound economic planning.
Governor Otti regretted that past Governments in the country did not understand the importance of census.
He further said the census figures allocated to the state during the last census exercise were not correct, revealing that the population of Aba alone is overwhelming.
Governor Otti thanked his guest for the visit and pledged to partner the commission.
“I am happy that you have come to seek collaboration. I am in complete agreement with you and anything we can do to partner with you.
“The administration was 11 months yesterday, and for us we know where the shoe pinches. When we came a lot of things were broken and we decided to pick them one after the other. We thank God for how far we have gone, we are not where we want to be but we are definitely not where we were.
“I can identify with the points you have raised about population census. If you don’t know how many you are you can’t plan. People in the past did not understand what census was all about. Census is very very important for planning and development.”
Earlier, the Federal Commissioner, Hon. Eke, said “census serves as a critical source of information on the population’s demographic, social and economic characteristics which inform policy making, resource allocation and development planning at various levels of government.”
He disclosed that in 2006, Abia State was grossly represented by itself as a result of inactions and wrong policy implementation of the then administration and the activities of separatist groups.
He said the next population and housing census “provides the much needed opportunity for re-representation of the state with accurate and up-to-date information on the state’s population and it’s characteristics,” and requested the collaboration of the State Government with the commission.
“In 2006, our state was grossly under represented by itself as a result of inactions and wrong policy implementation of the then administration and of course the activities of separatist groups. The next population and housing census (PHC) provides the much needed opportunity for a re-representation of the state with accurate and up-to-date information on the state’s population and characteristics.”
