SENATE APPROVES NPC'S 2025 BUDGET PROPOSAL, PUSHES FOR CENSUS
- Katsina City News
- 21 Jan, 2025
- 123
Today, 21st January 2025, the Chairman of National Population Commission, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, led a delegation that included Federal Commissioners, the Director-General, and several Directors to present the Commission's 2024 Budget Performance and defend the proposed budget for 2025 before the Senate Committee on National Identity Card and Population at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
During the session, Hon. Kwarra disclosed that the Commission's 2025 Budget proposal does not include the upcoming Population and Housing Census, noting that a separate budget for the exercise will be submitted to the National Assembly once it receives presidential approval.
Hon. Kwarra revealed that the next Population and Housing Census will be a biometric-based exercise to ensure accuracy and credibility, aligning with the recommendations of the 2030 round of censuses and President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He stated that Nigeria had missed out on 2020 round of censuses and now focused on the 2030 round of censuses, which has a new methodology.
Hon. Kwarra explained that the Commission needs to integrate the biometric features into the existing digital framework for the next census and test run its interoperability before the exercise.
NPC Chairman acknowledged the Senate Committee's support in amending the NPC's existing laws to reflect the recent digitization of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) and the Census processes.
Hon. Kwarra reiterated the Commission's readiness to conduct the next census, stating that the NPC will continue to work with the National Assembly to ensure timely conduct of the exercise.
Responding, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Identity Card and Population, Sen. Abdul Ningi commended the NPC Chairman for his outstanding performance, dedication and tireless efforts in preparing for the next census. He underscored the public's expectation for reliable and up-to-date census data that is crucial for evidence-based planning and sustainable development.
Sen. Ningi highlighted the importance of census data to national development and expressed the willingness of the Senate to support the NPC in engaging with President Tinubu to fix the date for the national exercise.
"We will soon engage the President on this matter and formally write to him through the Senate President.
"We understand your limitations, but leveraging National Assembly support, we will convince Mr. President to prioritise the conduct of the census.
"We are not going to rest on our oars until census takes place," he said.
Sen. Ningi also expressed confidence that President Tinubu will issue proclamation for the conduct of the census exercise this year, emphasizing its significance in addressing social economic challenges, including insecurity.
Deputy Minority Leader and Vice Chairman of the Committee, Senator Olalere Oyewumi lamented Nigeria's reliance on foreign data sources like UNICEF, World Bank, UNFPA for planning, stating "For almost twenty years, we have been using population estimates without credible data."
He stressed the urgency of meeting with President Tinubu to convey the importance of the next census.
Sen. Aminu Tambuwal pledged the support of the Senate Committee in assisting the Commission to conduct the next census and other activities.
Sen. Diket Plang also voiced the commitment of the Senate to supporting the NPC in conducting the census, highlighting the detrimental effects of prolonged delays on national credibility.
However, the Senate Committee later approved the budget proposal while reaffirming the need for immediate action to ensure Nigeria conducts a credible national census in 2025.
This approval follows the NPC Chairman's successful defense of the Commission’s 2025 budget proposal at the House of Representatives last week.
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