NPopC Chairman advocates conduct of census every 10 years

Chief Eze Duruiheoma (SAN), Chairman, National Population Commission, on Monday recommended the amendment of the National Population Commission Act to make provision for the conduct of census every 10 years in line with United Nations recommendations.
Duruiheoma said this at his valedictory meeting with members of staff of the commission as his tenure lapsed.
He emphasised that having the law in place would help in addressing the challenges of data gathering.
Duruiheoma said that a provision for annual incremental budgetary allocation for census immediately after the last should be encouraged for national development.
According to him, census is the most complex and extensive statistical data gathering exercise any country can embark on for proper documentation of the nation’s population.
He noted that the commission had proposed convening a national summit on the next population and housing census to bring together key informed stakeholders to examine the planned methodologies and process for next census.
Duruiheoma however scored himself high during his tenure, adding that the commission in collaboration with some development partners and other stakeholders conducted 2014 Health and Life Experience of young people Survey.
He said: “During the last five years, we also conducted the 2015 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey and Nigeria Education Data Survey, among others.
“The commission also in partnership with other stakeholders held its maiden Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Day on August 10, 2019, which is used in creating awareness on its importance as a vital source of statistics and other roles.
“As at today the commission has established 4,000 registration centres across the 774 LGAs with an average of about five centres per LGA mostly located in government institutions and commission’s offices.
“The multi sectoral collaboration with WHO, UNICEF, NIMC and NPHCDA is sustained and has contributed tremendously in increasing the number of vital events registered by the commission over the years.”
He however complained of paucity of funds during his tenure in achieving the mandate of the commission in so many areas such as CRVS, which made the commission to adopt the Public Private Partnership initiative to fill in the gap.
Duruiheoma therefore advised NPopC to review her strategies in order to increase and attract necessary funds for the various projects in the commission.
He said that setting machinery in motion to secure government proclamation for the next census and increased funding for the commission should be vigorously pursued.