Challenges to 2006 census in Abuja sub-region (II)

In the case of Abuja sub-region, the continuous demolition of structures with its attendant displacement of residents to areas mostly outside the FCT borders makes mockery of the data collected. This is not a product of deliberate manipulation by the NPC, but due to the peculiarity of the region. During the exercise, the estimated population […]

In the case of Abuja sub-region, the continuous demolition of structures with its attendant displacement of residents to areas mostly outside the FCT borders makes mockery of the data collected. This is not a product of deliberate manipulation by the NPC, but due to the peculiarity of the region. During the exercise, the estimated population in the Enumeration Areas (EAs) swelled beyond their expected numbers. It led to the acute shortage of materials and personnel. Even when the materials arrived later the swollen EAs practically over stretched the abilities of the enumerators. This concerned those that did not travel to their hometowns, but stayed behind to be counted around here.
Another major obstacle to obtaining successful head counts in the sub-region is census migration. The Federal Capital City of Nigeria is a very strong growth pole which catchment area is the whole country, and even beyond. As a result it experiences massive influx of people from across the country. It is otherwise referred to as No Man’s Land, because by the original concept, all indigenous inhabitants were to be evacuated out of the territory. But this concept was later jettisoned for many reasons. The greater percentage of the people living within the entire sub-region only considers their abodes as second home. Their first homes are their towns of origin. Thus during public holidays specifically Sallah and Christmas celebrations, including weekends, Abuja and its surrounding neighbouring towns are usually deserted.
Among the essentials of census is the restriction of movement throughout the period of the exercise. The NPC adopted the De-factor approach which captured people in their places of residence as against De-jure approach which counts people at their work places. The three-day public holiday given was to ensure that people remained indoors to be counted within a political entity.
But rather than remaining to be counted where they earn their livelihood, and by implication where they spend most of their times, most of those that are not original indigenes considered the census period just as any other public holiday, to travel home and socialize with their kith-and-kin. For some who really understand the essence of the exercise, their journey back home was for better political recognition and bargain.
Many elite are culprits in this census migration for political considerations. For the purpose of unity in our country upholding national character is the norm, as such political representations and appointments are tied to places of origin, while distribution of national wealth is tied to the number of people in a political entity. Complaints from various states trailed the 2006 census results. This is because the population of the states turned out to be less than what was thought by the various governments. Unfortunately, so long as this attitude subsists, we can never escape experiencing census migration. Regions that attract population for employment like Abuja and Lagos shall always be under-counted in favour of the residents’ towns of origin due to census migration.
Movement across the boundary of a defined territory is termed external migration. It is considered as the most complex of population change, because of the uncertainty associated with decision to change one’s place of residence coupled with the non-reliability and unavailability of data. The common type of migration within the sub-region is forced migration. It is mostly by those affected by demolition exercise in FCT. To surmount this type of challenge, we must commence the process of generating reliable migration data specifically concerning forced migration within the sub-region. Other measures include the strengthening of vital registration, such as birth, death, marriage, divorce and all other events in individual’s life.