From Zara Nwachinemere, Abakaliki
The National Population Commission (NPC), has commenced the phase 14 Enumeration Area Demarcation( EAD) in Izzi local government area of Ebonyi State.
The Federal commissioner in-charge of NPC in the state, Hon. Darlington Okereke, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing Journalists in Abakaliki, the state capital.
He said the Enumeration Demarcation otherwise known as census mapping, was aimed at dividing the larger places in smaller units for census planning, budgeting, execution and dissemination of data with the population threshold between five hundred to five hundred and fifty persons.
Okereke said the exercise will enhance successful enumeration by two enumerators within three days during the National census.
He said the commission saddled with the responsibility of providing data, undertaking National headcount, surveys for national planning and development, has put different programmes in place to ensure accuracy, reliability and acceptability of the National census project.
He said a total number of 85 local government areas were selected for demarcation in this phase of the exercise spread across 35 states nationwide, adding that Bayelsa state and FCT have concluded the exercise.
He stated: “In Ebonyi state we have recently concluded Ezza South/North local government areas in phase 13 and are currently in Izzi local government area for the phase 14 of the exercise which will cover the entire 14 INEC Registration Areas (wards), in the local government area.
“Furthermore, to ensure that the exercise is hitch free and successful in our dear state, National Population Commission has mapped out enlightenment, sensitization and advocacy programmes across the 14 wards.
“Stakeholders meeting is already done at Izzi local government area headquarters, Iboko. Market sensitization is currently taking place in some markets in Izzi local government area which include Nwofe Market, Nwakpu Igbeagu market, Ogwuduechi market, Iboko market. There is publicity and enlightenment campaign in some development centers, courtesy/advocacy visits to Stakeholders of Izzi Origin and courtesy/advocacy visits to traditional rulers.
“All these sensitization programmes in Izzi local government area is geared towards making sure that the good people of Izzi local government area are well informed and sensitized in order to ensure a credible Enumeration Area Demarcation exercise in our state,” he noted.
