Two Civil Society Organisations, Save Nigeria Movement (SNM) and the College of Bishops, Imams and Clergy Council, have urged President Bola Tinubu to disregard the unpatriotic and baseless call by Human Rights Writer’s Association of Nigeria(HURIWA),to scrap the National Population Commission (NPC).
A statement issued by Rev. Solomon Semaka, Convener, Save Nigeria Movement(SNM) and Bishop Abel Kings, National Coordinator, College of Bishops, Imams and Clergy Council(CBICC), berated HURIWA for making “such a ridiculous call in spite of the centrality of the census in the planning of any society.”
The CSOs strongly condemned the call made by HURIWA, describing it as a “misguided comment, as it has failed to recognise the importance of the Commission in gathering accurate population data which is essential for effective governance, resource allocation, and planning for the country’s future.”
According to the CSOs, “It is shocking that a supposedly credible organisation like HURIWA has decided to ridicule and make a caricature of itself by concocting an incoherent and uninformed narrative against the NPC, including accusing the Commission of duplicating the duties of other agencies.
“It is the highest height of ignorance to accuse the NPC of duplicating the duties of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
“To begin with, NPC was established before NIMC, so, which organisation should be duplicating the other?
“Is HURIWA in their misguided pontification accusing the National Assemblies that passed the law establishing the NPC and NIMC dumb for not knowing that the two agencies are duplicating themselves?
“Are they also insinuating that the Heads of State or Presidents that signed the Bills into law were so daft not to notice a duplicity of functions? “HURlWA’s unsolicited counsel smacks of cheap attention-seeking antics.
“No sane organisation or individual will compare the data captured by other organisations to that which is obtained by NPC. Voter data is restricted to adults who are 18 years above.
“NIMC keeps a database on Nigerians and issues identity cards. The NPC is mandated to collect comprehensive demographic and housing data including a continuous record of vital events.
“How can these distinct agencies duplicate themselves? Even advanced countries like the USA, UK, and France amongst others that keep very strict hospital, electoral and immigration records, including a functional Social Security system still conduct periodic censuses.
“Does HURIWA think those countries too are just wasting money? Comprehensive and periodic population census goes beyond simple identity registration or voter registration.”
The statement further explained that NPC provides detailed demographic information that is indispensable for policymaking, urban planning, infrastructural development, and public service provision and must not be politicised.
The two organisations expressed regret that in deviating from its mandate, HURIWA has constituted itself into a selective judge that is silent and overlooks cases of monumental fraud, corruption and wastages that have plagued the country, choosing rather to attack the NPC that has judiciously used every penny allocated to it in preparation for the conduct of a national census with impressive results for all to see.
The statement noted that HURlWA’s argument about the waste of funds by NPC is misleading.
“How can NPC that has already done Digital Enumeration Area Demarcation, trial census, trained millions of ad-hoc staff and procured Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) be accused of wasting money?
“HURIWA intentionally overlooked the long-term benefits of having accurate population data needed to effectively plan and allocate resources without which long-term sustainable development is impossible.
“The value of understanding Nigeria’s population distribution, age structure, employment trends, and educational needs, among other census derivatives is tangential to national development and should not be measured in terms of cost alone.
“Instead of advocating the abolition of the NPC, HURIWA should focus on urging the government to enhance the Commission’s efficiency and transparency as it is the practice under the current leadership.
” The NPC is also urged to implement measures to streamline data collection processes, improve data quality, and promote public awareness and participation on the census exercise.
“By strengthening the NPC’s capacity, the government can ensure that the census is conducted efficiently and effectively, thereby maximising the benefits derived from the exercise: Scrapping the commission would be detrimental to the country’s progress by undermining effective governance, planning, and resource allocation,” the statement said.