Previous census generated controversies due to absence of technology — NPC

The Chairman of National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, has said non-incorporation of technology during previous census exercises led to their rejection in some parts of the country.

 Kwarra who was speaking at the Media Public Relations and Public SpeakingTechniques for chairman and federal commissioners of the commission Sunday in Abuja said the use of technology would have provided accurate and verifiable data that would not be rejected.

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 He said the deployment of technology would be a priority for the 2022 exercise.

 He said contentious issues about previous censuses had little to do with the technical capacity of the commission but psyche of the people and their perception of the use of census.

 “Politicisation of census in the past has made people see census exercise as an avenue for revenue sharing rather than for developmental and planning purposes. The significance of publicity and advocacy in the successful implementation of commission’s activities cannot be overemphasised.

 “There is the compelling need to change this negative orientation, dissolve apathy, remove bias, cultivate public ownership and secure the co-operation of stakeholders and development partners.”