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From Geoffrey Anyanwu, Enugu
The National Population Commission (NPC) has appealed to security agencies in Enugu State to provide adequate and relentless security in the selected local governments where Trial Census was going on in the state.
Making the appeal during a press briefing on the Trial Census and nine selected local governments in the state, the NPC Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State, Ejike Ezeh urged the security agencies not to relent in providing security for the Commission’s field functionaries and materials.
The exercise is currently going on in Nkanu West, Enugu North and Isi Uzo in Enugu East Senatorial zone; Udenu, Uzo Uwani and Igbo-Etiti in Enugu North Senatorial zone and Ezeagu, Oji River and Udi in Enugu West Senatorial zone.
Ezeh noted that that the appeal became imperative because of the precarious security situation in some of the communities where the exercise was taking place.
He said, “In view of the precarious security situation in some of the communities, I wish to appeal to security agents in the selected LGAs not to relent in providing security for our field functionaries and materials.
“The Trial Census is a test case for the Commission which we hope to pass with resounding success. Our confidence is reinforced by the fact that, over the years, the Commission has invested considerable time and resources planning for the census drawing from its rich institutional experience to give the nation a truly scientific Census data for planning.”
The Federal Commissioner disclosed that they were currently receiving vital feedback from their State Coordinator and Data Quality Manager who were monitoring the exercise stressing that there were no records of disappointing signals from their devices so far.
He expressed joy that from the field reports, the population and housing census was going on well in the state.
The Commission Ezeh said had successfully visited the chairmen and key stakeholders of the three geopolitical zones and carried out field sensitization and face-to-face communication in selected areas.
He solicited for the cooperation of all stakeholders stating that it remains paramount for the success of the Trial Census exercise notwithstanding all arrangements and precautions worked out by the Commission.
Ezeh therefore, called on all key stakeholders, especially state government, local governments and traditional institutions in the selected Council areas to keep extending support and assistance to functionaries assigned to work within their domains.
He stressed that the Trial Census was a test case for the commission which they hope to pass with resounding success.
