President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the disbursement of N10 billion for the next phase of the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) exercise in the remaining 546 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the country. The acting Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Eyitayo Oyetunji made this public during a press conference on Monday in Abuja. The chairman said “I am however pleased to announce that His Excellency, Mr President has reaffirmed his commitment towards the successful completion of the EAD and indeed towards the conduct of the next census by approving the release of the total sum of N10 billion for the continuation of the EAD in the remaining 546 local governments in the country.”
President Buhari also approved an additional N4.5 billion to be included in the 2021 Budget for completion of the EAD exercise as part of the preparations for the next census.
“Details from EAD are invaluable for security surveillance and crime prevention,” Mr Oyetunji said.
“The President has graciously followed this up by a further approval of an additional N45 billion to be included in the 2021 Budget for the completion of the exercise as part of preparations for the next census. No doubt, this milestone development, under-scores the President’s understanding of the role of data, especially demographic data as the bedrock for informed development planning and allocation of resources. facilities and services.’’
“We in the National Population Commission perceive this highly commendable action of His Excellency, Mr President, as further indication of his dogged resolve to take this country into a post-COVID-19 era that will emerge from systematic planning and optimal utilisation of available resources, especially the human capital with which the country is abundantly blessed.
“There is no gainsaying that no nation can develop beyond the capacity of its population.
Nigeria had her last census in 2006.
Mr. Oyetunji added that, the exercise will outline areas in the LGAs into small geographical units called Enumeration Areas where the NPC will collate an accurate list of infrastructural facilities and households.
