Reps to probe N200bn spent on suspended 2023 census

The House of Representatives has resolved to probe the N200 billion spent on the suspended 2023 census.

The legislative house on Thursday initiated the probe following the adoption of a motion moved by Hon Clement Akanni during plenary in Abuja.

The House mandated its Committee on Population to investigate the use and management of N200 billion that was spent for the suspended 2023 Population and Housing census.

Moving the motion, Hon. Akanni stated that the need to provide the nation with accurate and reliable demographic data for policy formulation and planning for sustainable development could not be overemphasized.

He explained that the last census, which was conducted in 2006 by the National Population Commission, gave a population figure of 140 million.

He further informed that the immediate past administration of former President, Muhammadu Buhari, planned to conduct another census in 2022, but the programme was later postponed to 2023.

He said, “Earlier in March, 2023 the former Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, said a total of N869 Billion would be required for the exercise, this figure according to the Minister, includes Post census activities.”

“The National Population Commission (NPC) says it has spent about N200 Billion to prepare for the 2023 population and housing census. Census is a process of systematically collecting, compiling, and analyzing demographic, social, and economic data of a population within a specific region.

“Also note that censuses are conducted by governments to gather accurate and comprehensive information such as age, sex, marital status, education, occupation, housing, and other relevant demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of a country.”

Disturbed that the exercise, however, was suspended indefinitely by former President Muhammadu Buhari a few days before leaving office, the House to this end referred the motion to its committee on population census and report back within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.