Consider 2018 for population census, group tells Buhari

THE Population Association of Nigeria (PAN) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to consider making a proclamation for the conduct of the  National Population and Housing Census in 2018.

It also pleaded with the president to provide  necessary support for the smooth conduct of the exercise.

PAN made the appeal in a statement issued and signed by its president, Professor Olasupo Ogunjuyigbe, in Abuja, on Thursday.

It expressed the  fear that further delay in the conduct of the next census beyond 2018 might undermine the planning process of the nation’s march towards sustainable development.

The association  said  that no country can make any tangible progress towards sustainable development without timely, reliable and accurate census figure.

“For any developmental planning, census figure is paramount. Population is dynamic and with the continuous inter-play of migration, mortality and fertility, population of an area, will witness either an increase or decrease. So ,it becomes imperative for all nations to conduct census regularly,”it said.

According to the association,  despite  the recent proclamation of  the National Assembly towards the conduct of another census in 2018, there are still no signs portraying the Federal Government ‘s commitment towards the exercise.

“There is nothing on ground to show that government is committed or is on the same page with  the National Population Commission.

“The proclamation by the  Senate to have another census in 2018, is still waiting for the assent of the president without which international agencies are not likely to declare their own support for the exercise.”

It, however, acknowledged the dwindling resources at the disposal of the Federal Government, occasioned by recession and the huge resources required for the next census but added that;”this short term cost consideration should not prevent the nation from considering reaping the long- term benefits of the census.”

PAN noted that the Change Mantra of the present government in terms of prudent management of resources and the call by the House of Representative on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to create new constituencies cannot be realistic without a fresh census figure to reflect the necessity or otherwise of such exercise.

The association expressed confidence that the biometric-based census being proposed by the commission, if professionally  handled,will produce authentic and verifiable demographic data.

The association noted the commencement of preparatory activities for the next census with the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) of one local government area  in each of the states and Abuja, using satellite imagery.

”The meticulous manner the exercise is being carried out will deliver an accurate, reliable and acceptable census frame if it is properly handled and can be completed within the year

“So, if the next census exercise is to be in  2018, one should be seeing the sign now; the horizon is not clear enough for anybody to see what government is doing towards having a credible census in 2018 as recommended by the National Assembly.

“It remains for any nation, a very important data source that has not been replaced yet by any other source.  Without accurate census, government at various levels, will continue to base their plans on estimated or projected figures.”

“This is always argued as one of the main reasons why Nigeria, as a nation ,has not been able to make tangible progress in all facets of its developmental planning.