By Edifon ABASI-OBOT
As part of preparation towards the next national population and housing census, the National Population Commission (NPC) is commencing the 4th phase of Enumeration Area Demarcation in all geo-political zones of Nigeria and the FCT.
The exercise, for the South-South zone, is scheduled to take place in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, and will be flagged-off by His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanukel on Monday, 30th October 2017 at the Ikot Ekpene Local Government Council Hall, by 12:00 noon.
This was contained in a Press Release issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Political/Legislative Affairs and Water Resources, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ekong Sampson.
According to Barrister Ekong Sampson, Governor Udom Emmanuel places premium on data as a tool for development planning and has always demonstrated commitment in supporting national programmes that are targeted at enhancing the availability of a reliable database. This, he said, has so far been clearly demonstrated in the drive for the success of the national identity management and continuous voter registration programmes in the State.
The Special Adviser therefore calls on Akwa Ibom people, especially residents in Ikot Ekpene LGA to turn out en-masse for the flag-off ceremony and to give the NPC officials maximum support throughout the duration of the exercise.
He said the successes recorded in previous phases at Oron and Nsit Ibom during were huge and expressed optimism that Ikot Ekpene will record even a greater success, considering its significance in the Akwa Ibom landscape.
The Special Adviser also urged all Akwa Ibom people to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise and obtain their voter’s card to participate in democracy, as well as the National Identity Card registration, to be properly accounted for as a proud Nigerian. He said these programmes are of utmost importance to his Bureau and to Akwa Ibom State.
The NPC Federal Commissioner, Engr. (Chief) Benedict Ukpong FNSE, in an interaction with the media, affirmed the schedule of the event and lauded the support of Governor Udom Emmanuel in previous phases of the exercise. He described the collaboration of Akwa Ibom State Government with the National Population Commission as commendable.
The Federal Commissioner commended the Special Adviser in the Bureau of Political/Legislative Affairs and Water Resources for always liaising with the Commission to facilitate its programmles in the State, stating that the Bureau has always represented the Governor very well in this regard.
The NPC boss explained that Enumeration Area Demarcation is a very critical pre-census assignment that implies the subdivision of a geographical space into smaller units that can be covered by 2 enumerators during the actual Census. He further stressed the importance of Census in delineation of constituencies, providing indices for national planning and development as well as basis for revenue allocation.
The Federal Commissioner said during the exercise, his Commission will also carry out a mop-up exercise, which involves acquiring data on births and deaths over a period, as indices for adequate population estimation. He therefore, solicited continuous collaboration and more support from the State government.
Engr. Ben Ukpong said for Akwa Ibom to be selected for the 3rd time out of 4 for the exercise in the South-South zone, speaks well of the State.
