Census: NPC to begin pre-test exercise in 148 LGAs

In preparation for the population and housing census in Nigeria, the National Population Commission has announced that it will begin the 2nd pre-test exercise in 444 enumeration areas in 148 Local Government Areas across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.

The Chairman, National Population Commission, Nasir Isa Kwarra made this known at a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja.

Census pre-test exercise is a critical part of the census preparatory process which provides opportunity to test all aspects of the census programme and instruments in advance of the main census, thus ensuring the smooth operation and success of the exercise.

According to Kwarra, “the conduct of the pre-test exercise is aimed at testing the census methodology, the questionnaire, data collection methods, the manuals for field staff, instruction manuals, data editing and coding, data processing and tabulation in preparation for the actual census.

“In this pre-test exercise, some selected Enumeration Areas (EAs) in 4 selected LGAs in all states of the federation and FCT demarcated between 2014 (pilot phase) to 2021 (final phase) of the EAD will be involved. In other words, a total of 148 LGAs will be involved in the 36 states of the federation and the FCT and the census instruments will be deployed to these areas to test run their suitability and readiness for the actual census”.

The Chairman said over 1000 field functionaries comprising 888 enumerators, four supervisors per state, 37 IT supervisors, 37 Field coordinators, 37 State Cordinators, 37 GIS support, 6 Zonal GIS data administrators among others will be involved in the pre-test exercise which will commence December 3 and end on December 10, 2021.

He emphasised that “the pre-test is not the actual census but the mirror through which we look at our readiness for the next census”.

Nasir Kwarra urge respondents in the selected Local Government and Enumeration Areas to extend maximum cooperation to the interviewers and answer all the required questions truthfully.

He assured that all information will be treated with utmost confidentiality and will not be divulged for any other purpose.

The NPC Chairman further appealed to State governments, Local government councils, traditional rulers, religious and community leaders to support the commission in the processes of this exercise.

He said: “I want to place on record that the cooperation of field functionaries by Nigerians and other stakeholders has been very overwhelming.

“Particularly mention must be made to the generosity of the States governors, the LGA chairmen, the Lawmakers, security agencies and the community leaders and even individuals in providing support and assistance to our field officers to ensure that our activities proceeds quite smoothly. I plead that the tempo of support should be sustained until this important assignment is concluded on a pleasant note.

“The Commission wishes to assure all that every necessary step has been taken to ensure that field functionaries are properly knitted and trained to observe all the COVID-19 protocols throughout the period of the pre-test exercise as prescribed by the presidential steering committee (PSC)”.