Next Census will cost over N220bn, says Population Commission

The National Population Commission says the next census will cost the nation over N220bn, Igbere TV can authoritatively report.

This was disclosed by the commission's Director General, Ghaji Ismail, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Igbere TV reports that the DG spoke at the commencement of fieldwork for the continuation of the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD).

According to him, the 2015 budget for the proposed 2016 census which eventually did not take place was put at N220bn.

He said with currency devaluation and inflation rates, the commission would require much more than N220bn to conduct a census.

Ismail said, “How much will it cost? At this point in time it is going to be very difficult because there have been changes. It is not something you can say off hand but if we deduce from our previous submission in 2015 hoping that it would take place in 2016, a lot has changed in terms of currency devaluation but if we are to use the 2015 submission, we are looking at a submission of over N220bn.”

He said although the 2019 budget proposal had no provision for a census, a separate budget could be submitted for the exercise.

The DG said it was time to begin to speak about it since elections were already coming to an end.

He, therefore, pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to take the matter into consideration.

“Normally, it (census budget) is done within the wide service vote which is directly under the Presidency and therefore, when the proclamation is made by Mr. President. We are very hopeful because we have briefed him and we are very hopeful that this time around, having put the elections behind us, Mr. President would look at the commission favourably so that we can undertake the net census because, without the consensus, there will be no planning.

“We are proud to say Mr President is doing very well in the area of infrastructure in the last three to four years and we are convinced that he will continue to do so but better still, from our perspective, the infrastructure should be provided based on the basis that we know where we are, who we are, where we are mostly located and our various population dynamics,” Ismail added.

The DG said the time had come for a law to be introduced which will give the commission the mandate to hold census at regular intervals just as the Independent National Electoral Commission undertakes elections every four years.

He said a bill had been submitted to the National Assembly to that effect which had passed the first reading but things slowed down because of the electioneering.

Ismail added, “We are conscious of the fact that the absence of a legislation has actually not done us any good because the absence of legislation leaves the decision to conduct census at the liberty or the vagaries of nature which means it is left to time and chance.

“We are working hard. In fact, we have conducted two rounds of in-house review for a legal instrument to see that we push it forward. As we speak, we have proposed an amendment of the Act which is before the National Assembly. If I am not mistaken, it has gone through the first reading but elections came up.”

http://igberetvnews.com/596847/shocking-see-the-outrageous-amount-next-census-will-cost-nigeria/

Cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44, Dominique

We already know the number is about 200 million so no need to waste our money. It's not as though you people will get it right.

No need for census, Nigerian is slightly above 200million people, the should just shares the 220billion meant for the census to every Nigerian

What d f*ck ... For what ? Are they going to count the whole world ?

How will the census improve the standard of living here??

Or you guys don't know where to put such a huge amount of money to use??

Just to knw the population on the country and BOOM!! 220bn will be gone.. I bet some week after d census the FG will be looking from where to borrow money for infracstructure

this government is just funny

Lols nigeria matter funny o. After owo election, we don enter ego census. Are they counting cows and ram also. God abeg i wan go the country wey you send me to. I need transport

Another waste of funds. The figures would end up like election results. Disputes every where

After what INEC just did to us there will not be any need for this.

Speechless

Whaaaaaaat!.na d whole west africa una wan count?..next level no go easy ooo.

This census is long overdue but politicians and other greedy stakeholders will hijack it. This country is too complex to govern because everyone just want to rip it off.....