She Took the Job for the Money and Lost Herself

The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into the utilization of the allocated N200 billion earmarked for the suspended 2023 Population and Housing Census. During the House plenary in Abuja on Thursday, members mandated the Committee on Population to summon the director-general of the National Population Commission (NPC) to provide a detailed account of how the allocated funds were expended.

The motion titled "Need to Investigate N200 Billion Spent on the Suspended 2023 Population and Housing Census" was introduced by Hon. Clement Akanni and gained swift adoption by the House. The legislators emphasized the significance of a census, describing it as a systematic process involving the collection, compilation, and analysis of demographic, social, and economic data within a specific region.

Governments conduct censuses to acquire accurate and comprehensive information, covering aspects such as age, sex, marital status, education, occupation, housing, and other pertinent demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of a country's population.

The House acknowledged that the last census conducted in 2006 by the National Population Commission reported a population figure of 140 million. It further noted that the initial plan by the immediate-past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari was to conduct another census in 2022, subsequently postponed to 2023.

Recalling statements made in March 2023 by the former Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, the House highlighted that a total of N869 billion was initially projected for the census, encompassing Post-Census Activities. Notably, the NPC had already disbursed approximately N200 billion in preparation for the 2023 population and housing census.

The House expressed dismay over the abrupt suspension of the census indefinitely by former President Muhammadu Buhari shortly before leaving office. As a result, the matter has been referred to the Committee on Population for a comprehensive investigation, with a mandate to report back to the House for further deliberation. This probe aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the expenditure of public funds earmarked for crucial national endeavors.