FG earmarks N190bn for 2022 population census

Determined to conduct another population census in 2022, the federal government has earmarked over N190billion for the exercise.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Population and National Identity, Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’ú (APC Zamfara North), dropped the hint while speaking to newsmen after presenting the 2022 budget of the agencies under his committee before the Committee on Appropriations.

He said: “The President is ready to conduct the national census by 2022 and you know what census means you know it is capital intensive.

“So, much have been allocated. If it is not sufficient most likely the President will come up with a supplementary budget to be able to conduct the census properly for acceptability by all Nigerians.”

“Over N190billion has been allocated for the exercise. We are waiting for the President to proclaim when the activities will commence.”

On the time lag of about 16 years after the 2006 census, he said it does not matter.

“Even if it is 20 years, you are going to get the same figures of the population we have whether 30 or 50 years, the same figure that we supposed to have is what we are going to get.The time lag does not make any difference,” Senator Ya’u said.

On what his committee is doing to ensure that census does not take more than a decade before it is conducted, the lawmaker said there is a law to that effect, adding that the exigencies of government may be responsible for the time lag.

“The Presidency has the prerogative to know the time that we can have a peaceful census in the country,” he added.

On the fact that it is pre- election year, he said , “They thought it is the best time. They must have done their calculations and president is ready to conduct the national census by 2022 and you know what census means, you know it is capital intensive.

He said his defence of the budgets of the agencies under him went well because the presentation was precise and straight to the point.

“I did explain to them of capital expenditure of each of the agencies and also the current expenditure. They must have been satisfied having accepted the recommendations.

“They are harmonized proposals of the two chambers of the national Assembly. That made it so easy since we were able to come together to agree to disagree until  we all agreed.

“These are are agencies that have direct bearing with the Nigerian people most especially the National Population commission,” he explained.