THE National Population Commission (NPC) has stated that it spent about N200 billion preparing for the 2023 population and housing census.
NPC Executive Chairman, Nasir Kwarra, disclosed this today at a breakfast meeting.
The NPC chief also stated that the funds spent were part of the N800 billion expected from the Federal Government as the entire budget for the population census.
Kwarra stated that the funds covered the expense of more than five years of preparation for the drill.
He added that the expense of conducting a digital census would be significant since the commission would have to purchase the necessary technology and data.
Speaking on the preparations, Kwarra said about one million personnel had been employed to conduct a credible and acceptable digital census.
“It is important to sustain the tempo of the preparation for the census. The focus of the commission is to lay a foundation for future censuses,” Kwarra said.
He however assured Nigerians that the NPC is dedicated to conducting a credible census.
The Census Manager, Inuwa Jalingo speaking at the ceremony, noted that the commission had worked hard to execute a digital census.
Jalingo went on to say that the commission was ready to ensure a robust quality dashboard and data for the exercise.
Recall that president Muhammadu Buhari had ordered the postponement of the census in April, which was previously scheduled to take place across the country between May 3 and 5.
However, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated in a statement that the new date for the census would be chosen by the incoming administration.
