By Christiana Ekpa
The House of Representatives has commenced investigation into the N200 billion meant for the suspended 2023 Population and Housing Census.
On Thursday, the House mandated its committee on population to invite the director-general of the National Population Commission, NPC, to give an account of how the N200 billion was expended.
This followed the adoption of a motion titled, “Need to Investigate N200 Billion Spent on the Suspended 2023 Population and Housing Census”, moved by Hon Clement Akanni during the House plenary in Abuja.
Adopting the motion, the House noted that census is a process of systematically collecting, compiling, and analysing demographic, social and economic data of a population within a specific region.
The lawmakers also noted that governments conduct censuses 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.
The House said it was aware that the last census that was conducted in 2006 by the National Population Commission gave a population figure of 140 million.
It said it was also aware 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.
The House recalled that 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, including Post-Census-Activities.
It also recalled that the National Population Commission, NPC, said it has spent about 200 Billion to prepare for the 2023 population and housing census.
The House was disturbed that the exercise was, however, suspended indefinitely by former President Muhammadu Buhari a few days before leaving office.
The House referred the matter to the committee on population to report back for further deliberation.
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