Zara Nwachinemere, Abakaliki
National Population Commission, (NPC) Ebonyi state chapter, has commenced the last phase of Enumeration Area Demarcation( EAD), which is phase 16, in Abakaliki local government area of Ebonyi State.
The Federal commissioner in-charge of NPC in the state, Hon. Darlington Okereke, disclosed this on Monday while briefing Journalists in Abakaliki, the state capital.
He said so far the commission has demarcated 12 local government areas in Ebonyi state under phases 1-15 namely, Ezza North, Ezza South, Afikpo North, Afikpo South, Ohaukwu, Onicha, Ivo, Ebonyi, Izzi, Ohaozara, Ikwo and Ishielu.
Okereke, hinted that there will be a review in Ikwo local government area, which will make it phase 17, stating that the area was demarcated since 2016 and needs an update.
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 75 local government areas were selected for demarcation in this phase of the exercise, comprising fresh demarcation in 56 local government areas and updating in 19 LGAs across 33 states of the federation and federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“Furthermore, Abakaliki local government area which is the 13th and the last local government on the list of the fresh demarcation for the state, had been selected for the 16th phase of the exercise and the fieldwork which commenced from 26th July to 22nd August 2021 will cover the entire 14 INEC Registration Areas (wards) in Abakaliki local government area.
“To ensure that the exercise is hitch free and successful in our dear state, National Population Commission has embarked on massive publicity, advocacy enlightenment and sensitization programmes across the 14 wards.
“Stakeholders meeting is already done at Abakaliki local government area headquarters. Publicity and enlightenment campaign already carried out across the Development centers, and wards” he stated.
The federal commissioner, solicited for continued assistance of the state government, and Abakaliki local government area for the smooth implementation of the programme.
