Trial census in Cross River has nothing to do with 2023 elections – NPC

The federal commissioner, National Population Commission (NPC) Cross River State, Charles Ogwa has debunked reports that the trial census set to begin across Nigeria from the 11th to 24th July 2022 has much to do with next year’s general election.

Addressing journalists in his office in Calabar, Ogwa said it was the Council of State, chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari that gave the approval for the actual population census to hold in April 2023, whereas the elections would have ended between February and March 2023.

“It is absolutely incorrect to link our preparations to organise the trial census to next year’s general election.

“It has nothing whatsoever to do with any type of election process”, he stressed.

He informed that the commission is presently sensitising many communities about the trial census and have even started the training of 110 field functionaries ahead of the main population in 2023.

He said the 12-day training is meant to equip the field functionaries to deliver during the trial census.

Ogwa said those undergoing the training include facilitators, supervisors, and enumerators who were carefully selected.

“We have commenced the level training workshop for field personnel who will be engaged for the trial census. The training will hold for 12 days. A total of 110 facilitators, supervisors and enumerators were drawn from different communities within the nine local government areas in the three senatorial districts.”

Ogwa disclosed that during the trial census, new technologies will be deplored such as ultra-modern computers, including census PAD and CSPro will data of houses and persons enumerated would be captured preparatory today he actual census.