The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, Monday, disclosed that the federal government has injected a sum of N291.5 billion ($632 million) for the conduct of the 2023 population and housing census.
Agba made this known at the high level partners’ engagement to galvanise support for the 2023 population and housing census, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
This amount, the minister said, was just 46 percent of the total money the National Population Commission would need to have a concrete exercise.
According to the minister, “In 2018/2019, government recommitted to the conduct of the census. In 2020, Covid-19 disrupted plans for the exercise. The census was rescheduled for March 2023, but now recommended to hold in May 2023. In 2021/2022, funds were appropriated for the Census. The Census was initially planned for 2022, but was moved to 2023, after the elections.”
In her opening remarks, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr. Zainab Ahmed, said the federal government envisages a credible census exercise with the use of digital technology, adding that the 2023 census will involve the use of digital maps.
She said, “We look forward to a census that employs extensive use of digital technology for credible, reliable, and acceptable outcomes; and provides accurate and well-disaggregated data for strategic planning and policy making.
“I am pleased to intimate you that the 2023 Population and Housing Census will be Green Census involving the use of digital maps, digital questionnaire and cloud computing to ensure compliance with the global climate change campaign for reduction of emission by 30 percent unconditionally and an additional 15 percent conditionally by the year 2030.”
Giving his closing remarks, Chairman National Population Commission, Nasir Isa-Kwarra, appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari and the Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed for their unflinching support and resources towards a credible census.