The House of Representatives unveiled plans on Thursday to investigate the alleged N200 billion spent by the National Population Commission’s (NPC) management on the suspended 2023 population and housing census.
The resolution was passed following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Clement Akanni, who called for accountability of public funds.
In his lead debate, Hon. Akanni observed that a census is a process of systematically collecting, compiling, and analyzing demographic, social, and economic data of a population within a specific region.
“The House also notes that censuses are conducted by governments to gather accurate and comprehensive information such as age, sex, marital status, education, occupation, housing, and other relevant demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of a country.
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“The House further notes that data collected are used for a wide range of purposes, including policy-making, resource allocation, urban planning, public health, education, and more.
“The House is aware that the last census, conducted in 2006 by the National Population Commission, gave a population figure of 140 million.
“The House is also aware that the immediate-past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari planned to conduct another census in 2022, but the program was later postponed to 2023.
“The House recalls that earlier in March 2023, the former Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agha, said a total of N869 Billion would be required for the exercise; this figure, according to the Minister, includes Post-Census activities.
“The House also recalls that the National Population Commission (NPC) says it has spent about 200 billion to prepare for the 2023 population and housing census.
“The House is disturbed that the exercise was, however, suspended indefinitely by former President Muhammadu Buhari a few days before leaving office.
“The House is concerned that the need to provide the nation with accurate and reliable demographic data for policy formulation and planning for sustainable development could not be overemphasized,” he noted.
To this end, the House mandated its Committee on Population to invite the Director-General of the National Population Commission to explain how the N200 billion meant for the suspended 2023 Population and Housing Census was spent and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.