Maureen Okpe
The National Population Commission has disclosed that, trial census exercise has commenced nationwide in preparation for the 2023 general housing and population census.
A statement made available to Global Sentinel by the commission, on Thursday, noted, the fieldwork on the trial census will run from 13th to 30th July in selected Local Government Areas of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Commission emphasised that the outcome of the 2022 trial census will not form the basis for the result of the 2023, adding, the trial census is only a ‘census dress reharsal.’
“The Trial Census, also known as the ‘census dress rehearsal,” is one of the pre-census activities to evaluate all aspects of the census operation before the main census on a limited scale.It is a process in which all census operations are tested in a detailed and comprehensive manner to assess the level of preparedness of the Commission to conduct the 2023 Population and Housing Census.
“The Trial Census shall cover a total of 7681 Enumeration Areas in the 36 States and the FCT. Six LGAs have been selected from the six selected States in the six geo-political zones of the country for full population enumeration while forty-five EAs in nine LGAs cutting across three senatorial districts were selected from each of the thirty States and the FCT for enumeration.”
According to the statement the fieldwork will include, building numbering and household listing from 13th to 15th July, 2022, with validation of EA frame from 16th to 18th July, 2022, and person’s enumeration from 19th to 25th July, 2022, lastly, enumeration mop up from 26th to 30th July, 2022.
“As part of the exercise, Enumerators are expected to visit all residential and non-residential buildings within the selected Enumeration Areas and number the buildings and enumerate members of households in the buildings.
“The Commission wishes to solicit your kind support and the cooperation of State Governments, Local Government Councils and Stakeholders in the sensitization and mobilization of the populace in the selected LGAs for the smooth implementation of the Trial Census exercise.