The House of Representatives on Wednesday unveiled plans to investigate the utilisation of the approved sum for the conduct of the population and housing census by the last administration.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion that seeks to investigate the activities of the National Population Commission (NPC) jointly sponsored by Hon. Dominic Okafor​​​​​​​ and Hon. Patrick Umoh.
The House also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a date for the Population and Housing Census exercise and conduct the 2023 population and housing census to facilitate accurate economic planning.
The lawmakers also urged the Federal Government to upon fixing a date for the census, constitute Census Tribunals in designated centres in accordance with Section 28 of the National Population Commission, Act, 2004.
In his lead debate, Hon. Okafor who underscored the need for accountability on the use of public funds, observed that the sum of N200 billion has so far been spent out of the total sum of N800 billion budgeted for the planning, mid-execution of the 2023 population and housing census, which was postponed.
He said: “The House further notes that the national census was last conducted in Nigeria in 2006 and the 2023 census, which was scheduled for May 2023, was postponed by the National Population Commission.
“The House is worried that the data collected in the 2006 Population Census is far from reality in 2023 and cannot validly form a solid base for the formation of national economic policies that will aid the federal government in administering viable national planning.
“The House is aware that the National Population Commission has admitted to having spent N200,000,000,000 as part of the N800,000,000,000 budgeted for the planning mid-execution of the 2023 population and housing census, which was postponed.
“The House is also aware that the financial investment in 2023 population census planning would have improved economic planning and distribution of palliatives in the country.
“The House is also worried about the National Population Commission remarks, that if the population and housing census fails to take place within 12 months, the information gathered across the country would become stale, a waste of resources and the country would have to increase costs of gathering fresh information.
“The House is aware that the National Population Commission, led by the Chairman, Alhaji Nasir lsa Kwarra, expressed readiness to conduct a population and housing census during a visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on July 6, 2023.”
In his contribution, Hon. Ahmed Jaha who stressed the lack of free movement in various parts of the country due to insecurity, expressed worry about the safety of the Census officials bearing in mind the dire need for heightened security in all parts of the country.
On his part, Hon. Ademorin Kuye who averred that census is critical for proper planning by government, stated that the census was already fixed and funds appropriated for despite the said levels of insecurity.
He therefore harped on the need for accountability, and that the postponement was due to the preparation for elections.
While venting his view, Hon. Inuwa Garba stated that the safety of the proposed census officials should be paramount as it cannot be ascertained that their safety is guaranteed in volatile areas, and any partial/incomplete census is no census at all.
He argued that the country should focus on providing national security.
Also speaking, Chairman, House Committee on Federal Character, Hon. Ahmed Wase who agreed with the intent to investigate funds spent so far, however, argued that the current insecurity situation in the country does not accommodate deploying human and capital resources to volatile places.
He maintained that the money earmarked for the procurement of ammunition for security agencies in the Supplementary budget before the House underscored the need for getting security right before anything like census should take place.
While urging the Commission not to relent in its preparation for the 2023 Population and Housing Census, the House mandated its Committee on Population to investigate the money expended on the postponed 2023 Population and Housing Census by the Commission.
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNEÂ
and then