In readiness for the first fully digital census in 2023, the National Population Commission (NPC) has begun training of its functionaries for a trial census in Enugu state.
Addressing newsmen during the kick-off of functionaries training in Enugu, the federal commissioner representing Enugu state, Ejike Ezeh, said the trial census “is another key preparatory activity for the main census.”
He also said the Commission had begun the training of 99 enumerators and local government supervisors to conduct the trial census in all the selected nine local government areas in the state.
He said the trial census would be conducted in all the 7,718 selected enumeration areas across the country to test-run suitability and readiness for actual census in 2023.
“The trial census which is also known as the census dress rehearsal is another key preparatory activity for the census. It is a process in which all census operations are tested in a detailed and comprehensive manner. This takes place as a matter of best practice about a year before the actual census date to assess the scenario that may be presented during the main Census.
“In line with the approval of the federal government, the trial census will be conducted from June 27 to July 30, 2022, and being a sample exercise, it will only be conducted in selected areas.
“In Enugu state, the trial Census will take place in nine (9) LGAs from the three Senatorial zones in the state, which includes, Enugu East Senatorial zone; Nkanu West, Enugu North and Isi-Uzo LGA: Enugu North Senatorial zone; Udenu, Uzo-Uwani and Igbo-Eze North LGA while Enugu West senatorial zone; Ezeagu, Oji River and Udi LGA,” he said.
He appealed to stakeholders, especially the state government, local government councils and traditional institutions in the selected LGAs, to support and assist the functionaries assigned within their domain for a successful trial census exercise.
