NPopC assures of credible, accurate census

The National Population Commission (NPopC) has assured Nigerians of accurate and reliable figures in the forthcoming national census.
Dr Tayo Oyetunji, the Federal Commissioner, NPopC, Oyo State, said this on Thursday during the flag off of the Phase Four Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) in Atiba Local Government Area of the state.
Oyetunji disclosed that the commission had adopted new innovations that would eliminate human errors and possible manipulations that have tended to bedevil past exercises.
According to him, EAD exercise is a major step towards the conduct of the next census.
“’The exercise entails the geographical division of the entire land mass of the country into small units that can be covered easily by a team of enumerators during the census.
“So the commission is deploying the latest technology in the execution of the exercise.
“High resolution satellite imageries that would clearly depict land marks including all buildings throughout the country will be used.
“Its usage will enhance accurate geo-referencing of all the enumeration area maps and ensure that no part of the country is left out while guarding against the inclusion of non-existing areas and structures,” he stressed.
The commissioner declared that actual census would be de facto, saying the use of the sophisticated technology would easily reveal any attempt to manipulate the process.
He allayed fears that the outcome of the next census would be like previous ones.
He appealed to community leaders in the area to prevail on house owners to give necessary support to the enumerators for a successful exercise.
Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State enjoined landlords and other stakeholders to cooperate with the commission.
Ajimobi urged residents to allow the enumerators to move freely within their communities for the demarcation exercise, saying the exercise is not for revenue collection.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise which would last for three weeks will be conducted in one local government area in 12 selected states of the federation and FCT.
Hundreds of residents in Atiba local government area witnessed the event at Atiba Hall in Oyo town.