2006 census challenges in Abuja sub region

Have the flaws as speculated been proven? Are the inconsistencies if proven, deliberate or product of extraordinary circumstances? If possible abuses were envisaged, have we thought of any, and implemented all measures to check them during the exercise? Is there any post census evaluation? If so what is the level of accuracy or challenges? Before […]

Have the flaws as speculated been proven? Are the inconsistencies if proven, deliberate or product of extraordinary circumstances? If possible abuses were envisaged, have we thought of any, and implemented all measures to check them during the exercise? Is there any post census evaluation? If so what is the level of accuracy or challenges?
Before we conclude on whether the exercise is acceptable or not, we must be conversant with the dynamics of population mobility both in time and space.
As Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries when the census was conducted, it is necessary for the new chairman to get explanations on the technicalities involved, from those he met on ground before he starts making public statements. Conducting census is a highly technical exercise, and challenges involved differ from only place to the other, and its management is completely different from that of breweries.
Population mobility around the FCT sub-region is one that is governed by economic and socio-political factors. From our experience while participating in the 2006 census, determining the actual population of the Abuja sub-region could be among, if not the most challenging nationwide. Niger State’s case at the Census Tribunal was among those that made the new NPC chairman state that there was no census in 2006. What we should consider before making public statements on acceptability of the total exercise or not is the percentage of the area being disputed relative to the total area of the political boundary of the state. Definitely, there were several challenges. But should because of those challenges which proved insurmountable within a sub-region discredit the nationwide exercise, as ardently promoted by the NPC chairman? We believe Niger State is not praying for the total cancellation of the census at the tribunal. Why is the NPC chairman crying more than the bereaved?
The major problem encountered in the sub-region is simply that of inadequate pre-census exercise of enumeration area demarcation. Essentially because of the characteristic population mobility of the region, enumeration areas were not properly captured while for those captured there are many which population were grossly under estimated.
It could be recalled that immediately after the enumeration area demarcation, Chief Samuila Danko Makama the former NPC chairman that conducted the 2006 census embarked on sensitization tour to these vulnerable areas to ensure the success of the exercise. Among the areas he visited was the Suleja Emirate. According to him it was the characteristic vulnerability to erratic population mobility around the FCT borders that made him choose Suleja for a visit. After his address to the Emir and his subjects at the palace, the Emir, Malam Muhammadu Awwal Ibrahim, stated that “whenever Abuja sneezes Suleja catches cold”. His Royal Highness, could not have put it better, because at that time, the demolition machines of Malam Nasiru el-Rufa’i, the then FCT minister were let loose, and more than ever before, Suleja and the other settlements within FCT neighbourhood in Niger and Nasarawa States had never been firmly griped. At that time Enumeration Area demarcations for 2006 census were already completed.
Having known the causes of the ailment there is certainly remedy to cure this type of colda but certainly not cancellation of the census nationwide as either ignorantly, or mischievously canvassed by the NPC boss.