The National Population Commission (NPC) has rolled out programmes to enable their field personnel to test-run their suitability and readiness for the actual census in 2023.
The Imo State Federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission (NPC), Prof Uba Nnabua disclosed this at the flag-off of the trial census training workshop holding in Owerri, the state capital.
He stated that while the training workshop for the Trial Census for the 2023 population and Housing Census in Imo State was ongoing, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory has had its Master Training since 30th May to 3rd June 2022.
He also noted that this was followed by training of principal trainers in the six geo-political zones from 11th to 15th June 2022.
Prof Nnabua gave an insight of the Trial Census, which according to him, is also known as “Census dress rehearsal”, describing it as a trial performance for a later public or general performance and consisting of confirmation brief, on techniques, sequence and time lines.
The Federal Commissioner stated that the Trial Census is the final rehearsal in which everything is done as it would be in a real full census, adding that it is one of the necessary pre-census activities.
He posited that it is a process in which all census operations are tested in a detailed and comprehensive manner and as such test all phases of the main census, from planning to the execution of the plans, logistics arrangements management, questionnaires design and format.
He explained the census training procedures, fieldwork operations, publicity, payment system, data processing, data tabulation and analysis.
Prof Nnabua, highlighted some objectives for the state Trial Census exercise, to critically and comprehensively assess the quality and the usefulness of the EA Maps that have been created determine the possible demographical changes that might have occurred in the EA’s carved between 2016 and 2018 and their implications for census taking, determine the feasibility of uploading EA Maps on the census app for house numbering and household listing as well as population enumeration.
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According to him, it is also to determine the correction between EAD estimated Population and the pre-test enumerated population, determine the requisite education qualification for the 2023 Census enumerators, determine the appropriateness of the estimated workload of the enumerators, and determine the necessary logistics-support that might be required from the state and LGA’s to complement the activities of the commission.
The Federal Commissioner, noted that at the National level the Trial Census will cover thirty-six states and FCT, while six LGAs have been selected from the six geo-political zones of the country.
He added that forty-five (45) EA’s had been selected each from the remaining thirty states and the FCT, which gives a total number of four thousand, six hundred and eight (4,608) EAs been selected for this Trial Census for Imo State, in Orlu zone, Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Orlu, for Owerri zone, Ngor Okpala Ikkeduru and Aboh Mbaise, and lastly for Okigwe zone, Isiala Mbano, Onuimo, and Obowo.
He also said the commission has introduced new technologies such as Census PAD and Survey Processing System (CSPro) to ensure the Trial Census serves as a good and effective rehearsal of the upcoming 2023 population and Housing Census.
He added that to ensure the Census does not lose the focus in view of predetermined objectives and processes monitoring and evaluation (M&E) instruments have been developed to assess the extent to which objectives and processes are being met.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ruby Emele in her goodwill message lauded the President Muhammed Buhari for opting to give Nigerians a sustainable Economic development Agenda through the forthcoming census.
She assured that the Imo State government would provide an enabling environment for the exercise.
Emele, urged participants to make good use of the opportunity to enhance their knowledge for a brighter future.
