Trial Census: No Record Of Digital Device Failures So Far, Says NPC

The National Population Commission (NPC) has hailed the performance of its digital devices deployed for the conduct of the ongoing trial census ahead of the 2023 census exercise, saying there is no record of disappointing signals from the devices.

The federal commissioner in charge of Enugu State, Ejike Ezeh, who made the disclosure at a press conference in Enugu on Friday, said the test run of the digital devices became imperative in order to give the nation an accurate headcount in 2023.

Ezeh said, “I am glad to say that so far, given the reports from the field, the population and housing census is going on well. We are currently receiving vital feedback from our state coordinator and data quality manager who are monitoring the exercise in the field, that there are no records of disappointing signals from our devices.

“Information needed is being captured from the respondents by our enumerators, indicating the smooth flow of the exercise”.

He commended major stakeholders in the state, particularly local government chairmen for their cooperation and provision of security and accommodations for the functionaries deployed to their areas.

The commissioner used the opportunity to urge the stakeholders not to relent in extending their support and security for the trial census exercise within their domain.

Meanwhile, the chairman of Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, Philip Okoh has donated no fewer than 10 motorcycles and other security gadgets for the security of enumerators for the ongoing trial census exercise in the area.

Okoh, who made the disclosure during the NPC engagement with Enugu West Senatorial Zone, said the motorcycles would be operated by the local vigilante in the area.

He added that he had equipped the local vigilante popularly known as the neighborhood watch and Forest Guard to ensure a hitch-free exercise in the area.