Lagos residents applaud FG on census postponement, say initial date not appropriate

They argued that the timing of the census scheduled for May 3, a few weeks before the end of the current administration, was not good enough.

News Agency of Nigeria • April 29, 2023

2023 CENSUS

Some residents of Lagos State have lauded the federal government’s postponement of the 2023 national population and housing census, saying it was a good decision.

In separate interviews on Saturday, some also criticised the timing and schedule of the conduct of the 2023 census.

They argued that the timing of the census scheduled for May 3, a few weeks before the end of the current administration, was not good enough.

Abraham Ariyo, a Lagos-based engineer, said it was not a good move to schedule the census a few days before the close of an administration.

“I’ve always believed there is no need for a census, considering that the country has adequate data of citizens from the NIN, BVN, Immigration statistics, records of birth and death; all these data should be enough for the assessment,” he said.

Similarly, a lawyer, Deborah Njoku, said that postponing the census had shown issues with the initial timing and planning of the census.

Ms Njoku said the government should address all concerns for the census to promote national planning and sustainable development.

Also, Moses Oluwagbemileke, an accountant, said the suspension of the 2023 census indicated that all necessary logistics had yet to be put in place to ensure hitch-free counting in the country.

“I am not surprised that the forthcoming census was suspended because if everything is in place, the programme will go as planned,” he said.

A civil servant, Juliet Arinze, said it was better to have a hitch-free census than organising one that would not meet the set target.

“If the suspension of the census programme is to tidy up things, there is nothing wrong with the decision than organising one that will not yield any result,” she said.

Commenting, Abubakar Isah, a trader, said that efforts should be made to intensify awareness about the census before its conduct.

He noted that many people still needed to learn about the census and their role in the exercise.

President Muhammadu Buhari, on April 28, approved the postponement of the census, earlier scheduled for May 3 to May 7, to a date to be determined by the incoming administration.

(NAN)

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