Relevant Stakeholders in the National Population Census exercise have been charged to make the needed input to the final list of localities for the 2023 Population and Housing Census

The Chairman, National Population Commission, NPC, Alhaji Nasir Isa Kwarra made the call in a message to a two day workshop organised by the Commission with other National Stakeholders on compendium of localities in Lokoja.

Represented by the Honourable Federal Commissioner in charge of Kogi State, Alhaji Jimoh Habibat Isah, the Chairman said the objective of the workshop also include the compilation of all localities demarcated during the Enumeration Area Demarcation, EAD, on Local Government Area basis expected to be given to Council Chairmen for necessary input towards a hitch free census.

In his opening remark, Kogi State Director of the NPC, Mr. Abiodun Titus Ojo said the workshop became imperative towards achieving an accurate Housing and Population Census come 2023.

Mr Ojo who decried the non participation of some Local Government Chairmen despite formal invitation said they have one week to do the needful before final.validation by the Commission.

According to him, all variables such as the impact of recent flooding as well as people displaced by same have been taken cognisance of by officers of the NPC to accommodate such as part of it’s update in preparation for the exercise.

Representative of the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ambassador Isiaka Usman assured of the readiness of the State Government as well as the 21 Local Government Areas to be fully involved in the exercise and work towards achieving set goals.

In thier separate goodwill messages, Representatives of the State Resident Electoral Commission, Pastor Sunday Agada, that of State Director, National Orientation Agency, NOA, Patrick Edogbanya and other stakeholders across the 21 LGAs all pledged thier resolution to support the Commission towards making the 2023 Census credible and successful.

Reacting to a question asked by one of the participants from Ibaji, Mr Ogwo Monday on the recent flood which displaced so many households and claimed lives of people, the State Federal Commissioner, Alhaji Jimoh Habibat Isah who commiserated with the people of the Area however said adequate steps would be taken to address the peculiarity of the area.

Highlights of the workshop was the slide presentation of States’ Locality lists as well as the digital display of Locality Maps for Kogi State.