The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), has approved N10bn for the processes leading to the conduct of a successful population census in the country.

The acting chairman of National Population Commission, Dr Eyitayo Oyetunji, stated this during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday ahead of the commencement of the 10th phase of the Enumeration Area Demarcation exercise.

According to him, the commission has been implementing the exercise in phases due to paucity of funds.

Oyetunji said the 10th phase of the exercise, including training and fieldwork, which commenced on October 5 and would end on October 29, 2020, would be conducted in 33 local government areas across 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

He said, “As you may be aware a total of 228 LGAs were successfully demarcated across the 36 states and FCT in the previous 9 phases.

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“Hitherto, the commission had been implementing the EAD in phases due to limitations in the availability and allocation of funds.

“I am however pleased to announce, that Mr. President has reaffirmed his commitment towards the successful completion of the EAD and indeed towards conduct of the next census by approving the release of the total sum of N10bn for the continuation of the EAD in the remaining 546 LGAs of the country.

“The President has graciously followed this up by a further approval of an additional N45bn to be included in the 2021 budget for the completion of the exercise as part of preparations for the next census.”

 “There is no gain saying that no nation can develop beyond the capacity of its population. For us at the NPC, we wish to reiterate our preparedness and unwavering commitment to work towards the successful conclusion of the EAD and the conduct of the next census and to provide accurate, reliable and up-to-date demographic data for national planning and development.”