Okon Bassey in Uyo
The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Mr. Nasir Isa Kwarra, has assured Nigerians of a credible, reliable and acceptable population census.
Kwarra gave the assurance in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital at the flag-off of the 2023-24 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (NDHS), and the official inauguration of the remodelled and reconstructed Akwa Ibom State NPC office building.
He said the commission would leave no stone unturned in providing the necessary facilities for a comfortable work environment for its personnel to achieve results.
The Chairman, who was represented by the Federal Commissioner, Akwa Ibom State, Chief Benedict Ukpong, stressed that the remodelled building was in steady preparation for the next population and housing census.
He applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the financial and moral support, which made the inauguration possible, saying under his leadership, staff welfare will be his priority.
According to him, the commission’s greatest assets are its staff and described the staff of the Akwa Ibom State office of NPC as hardworking.
He commended them for their steadfastness, resilience and sustained efforts over the years.
“As you are aware, the commission is still carrying out the preparation for the next census. It is in this regard, that we will leave no stone unturned to make sure that all corresponding facilities including habitable and good working environment are delivered to ensure the constitutional mandate of the commission is fulfilled which is the effective delivery of the next Population and Housing Census, which will be credible, reliable and acceptable.
“The remodelled and reconstructed office building we are officially inaugurating will serve as the administrative hub for the effective functioning of the Akwa Ibom State NPC office where vital meetings and critical decisions that concern the growth and progress of the commission will be made,” he stated.
The Akwa Ibom State Director of NPC, Mr. Emmanuel Edem, said one of the objectives of 2023-24 NDHS is to gather high-quality data on a wide range of vital indicators, including fertility rates, maternal and child health, contraceptive use, childhood mortality, gender-related issues, nutrition, HIV/AIDS awareness, and others.
Edem explained that the survey will provide data supporting evaluation needs of maternal and child health and family planning programmes, enabling evidence-based planning and resource allocation.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser, Bureau of Political and Social Reorientation in the state, Mr. Amanam Okon Nkanga, represented by the Director of Administration of the Bureau, Mr. Solomon Johnson, commended NPC for the remodelled and reconstructed building offices.
On her part, the NDHS State Coordinator, Mrs. Helen Amakwe, said the flag-off of the exercise in Akwa Ibom was held after one month of training of the team in Akwanga, Nasarawa State and a zonal flag-off in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
