The House of Representatives has initiated an inquiry into the allocation and expenditure of the N200 billion earmarked for the suspended 2023 Population and Housing Census.
During its session in Abuja on Thursday, the House directed its population committee to summon the director-general of the National Population Commission (NPC) to provide a detailed account of how the N200 billion was utilized.
This decision was prompted by the adoption of a motion titled “Need to Investigate N200 Billion Spent on the Suspended 2023 Population and Housing Census,” presented by Hon. Clement Akanni.
In supporting the motion, the House stressed the importance of the census as a systematic process for collecting, collating, and analyzing demographic, social, and economic data within a specified geographical area.
Furthermore, the lawmakers underscored the significance of census exercises in obtaining accurate and comprehensive information on various demographic and socioeconomic factors such as age, gender, marital status, education, employment, housing, among others, crucial for informed decision-making and governance.
The House acknowledged the previous census conducted by the National Population Commission in 2006, which reported a population of 140 million. It also noted that the prior administration under former President Muhammadu Buhari had initially scheduled another census for 2022, later deferred to 2023.
Recalling statements made in March 2023 by the former Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, indicating a total budget requirement of N869 billion for the census, including post-census activities, the House reiterated the NPC’s reported expenditure of about N200 billion in preparation for the 2023 census.
Expressing concern over the abrupt suspension of the census by former President Buhari shortly before leaving office, the House tasked the population committee with conducting a thorough investigation into the matter and providing subsequent deliberations.
