The House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Population to probe how the two hundred billion naira meant for the suspended 2023 Population and Housing Census was expended.
These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion titled, “Need to Investigate N200 Billion Spent on the Suspended 2023 Population and Housing Census” moved by Clement Akanni.
The Committee is expected to report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
The House noted that census was a process of systematically collecting, compiling, and analyzing demographic, social, and economic data of a population within a specific region.
The House also noted 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.
It 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 said it was aware that the last census, that was conducted in 2006 by the National Population Commission, gave a population figure of 140 million.
It also said that it was also aware that the immediate-past administration of former President, Muhammadu Buhari, planned to conduct another census in 2022, but the programme was later postponed to 2023.
The House recalled that earlier in March, 2023 the former Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, said a total of N869 Billion would be required for the exercise, this figure according to the Minister, includes Post-Census-Activities.
It also recalled that the National Population Commission, NPC says, it has spent about 200 Billion to prepare for the 2023 population and housing census.
The House was disturbed that the exercise was, however, suspended indefinitely by former President Muhammadu Buhari a few days before leaving office.
The House was 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.
Confidence Okwuchi
