UPDATE: Why We Postponed 2023 Census – NPC Opens Up

The 2023 Housing Population Census was not delayed because of a shortage of funding, according to the National Population Commission (NPC).

Mrs. Cecilia Dapoet, the NPC Federal Commissioner for Plateau State, reaffirmed the commission’s view on the issue, stating that the government’s transition program and the nation’s post-election mood were to blame for the delay rather than a lack of funding.

The census, which previous President Muhammadu Buhari delayed before his term ended, was originally scheduled to take place on May 7, 2023, according to Newsmen.

We’ve Spent N200 Billion On 2023 Census Preparation – NPC

However, since the exercise was moved, rumors have started to circulate that it was postponed due to a lack of funding.

However, the NPC commissioner claimed that it had taken the appropriate actions to dispel the perception while speaking to pressmen in Jos, the capital of Plateau State.

Dapoet explained that “The Commission is compelled to take necessary steps to correct the impression that the 2023 Population and Housing Census is postponed because of lack of funds.

“The real reason is not money, but the government’s transition programme and post-election mood in the country. We all saw the cloud of uncertainty that hung above the nation after the elections and were careful not to fall into some pitfalls and plunge the country into more trouble.

“We cannot take things for granted and decided to postpone the exercise. I assure you it is done in the national interest. The postponement will allow for adequate participation of this new administration.”

2023 Census Will Not Be Tribal Or Political In Nature – NPC

However, she pointed out that the delay provided the Commission with the chance to review their census work plan and to include any suggestions that would improve the methods for putting the methodology into practice for the best results.

“There is always room for improvement on the process. Note that the Commission is committed to safeguard all resources expended while we await the new date for the Census exercise.

“We have also put some measures in the process to curtail incidences of political interferences with the census process,” she added.

The commissioner also disclosed that the Commission has purchased handheld devices to be used to capture data that are safely stored at the Central Bank in Jos, noting that “This also means the software is ready in hand. I assure you that before the process was paused shortly to allow for a smooth transition of administration and the mood from the 2023 general elections to calm down, the Commission had already put all things in place ready for the Census exercise to take off.”

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