By John Ugo , Awka
The National Population Commission (NPC), will on Wednesday begin digitalized trial census in Anambra State
The test run process is in preparation ahead of the first Nationwide digital census in 2023.
The NPC Commissioner, representing Anambra State, Mr. Chidi Ezeoke, disclosed this during a press conference in Awka the state capital.
He said the exercise would take place in all the seven designated towns of Akwukwu, Awka-Etiti, Alor, Nnokwa, Nnobi, Oba and Ojoto in Idemili South local government area of the state.
He said the exercise was another key preparatory activity for the main census slated for April, 2023.
Ezeoke said the commission has trained 1,146 enumerators and local government supervisors to conduct the exercise in the above mentioned local government areas of the state.
He noted that the trial would be conducted in all the 7,718 selected Enumeration Areas across the country to test run suitability and readiness for the actual census in 2023.
He explain that the exercise would avail the commission opportunity to test all aspects of census operations, from planning to implementation, logistics arrangement and management, questionnaire design and format, training procedures, fieldwork operations, publicity, payment system, data processing, data tabulation and analysis.
“The trial census which is also known as the “census dress rehearsal” is another key preparatory activity for the census. It is a process in which all census operations are tested in a detailed and comprehensive manner. This takes place as a matter of best practice about a year before the actual census date to assess the scenario that may be presented during the main Census.’’
He added that the cooperation and support of the stakeholders and the general public are vital for the successful conduct of the Trial Census and that the Commission under the Chairmanship of Honourable Nasir Isa Kwarra, has put in place eleborate arrangements for Advocacy and Publicity.
The State Cordinator, Trial Census, Mr. Folami Muka, the State Director, NPC, Dr. Joachim Ulasi and staff of the Commission were present during the media event.