— Highlights The Importance Of the 2023 Census To The Development Of Emohua LGA
The Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd has urged the people of the area to make themselves available for the forthcoming census exercise to establish the true population of the area.
He enjoined indigenes of Emohua LGA residents within and outside the LGA to take advantage of the 2023 Census exercise to improve the fortunes of the LGA in terms of increasing the LGA allocation from the federation account, attracting basic amenities from federal government and agencies and international organizations, as well as to increase the legislative representation of the people of the area.
Dr Lloyd stated this when he inaugurated the Emohua Local Government 2023 Census Publicity Committee at the council secretariat in Emohua on Tuesday.
He said members of the committee were carefully assembled to carry out aggressive sensitization and mobilization of the people across the communities in Emohua LGA with a view to ensuring active participation in the 2023 Census exercise.
“I remember that there was a time in Emohua LGA when we had two State Constituency Seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly but how we lost one is what I cannot tell.
“This census exercise must be taken seriously to determine our actual population, maybe we may get back our second State Constituency Seat and increase the number of wards in the LGA.
“You all were carefully assembled and called to serve in this committee; your duty is to sensitize our people in the localities on the importance of the census to advancing our LGA.
“Census help the government in planning because statistics is very key in the development plan. So, go and tell our people the need for this census and what we stand to gain when we are counted in our place”.
The Council Chairman said his administration will provide the necessary support to the National Population Commission (NPC) especially in the area of mobilization of indigenes of Emohua LGA to participate in the 2023 census exercise.
” As a Local Government Council, we are going to provide the necessary support for the success of the exercise in our LGA, especially in the area of mobilization.
“We will also restrict movements and declare holidays if we have such powers to ensure that our people participate actively in this year’s Census exercise.
“The 2023 census exercise had already been budgeted for by the federal government but we will see areas where we can support the population commission”.
The Director of the National Population Commission (NPC) in Rivers State, Mrs Glory Barika Nwineh in her address highlighted the role of stakeholders such as Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders, Community Development Committee (CDC), Youth Leaders, Women Group Leaders, Union Leaders in the 2023 census exercise especially in the area of sensitization and mobilization of the people in their respective localities.
According to the State Director of NPC; Census is an opportunity to end the cry of marginalization. When you refused to be counted in your place, you reduce the population of your place and also reduce the chances of attracting developmental projects and increased government revenue to your place.
She disclosed that the 2023 census exercise will be conducted based on the availability of individuals and nobody will be captured in absentia because the mode of capturing will be done electronically.
“This time nobody will be captured in absentia because we’re not capturing with pen and paper as it was done last time. We are coming with our electronic gadgets for the headcount and only those on the ground will be counted.
“For instance, if we come to your house and you have five children but some are not in the community during the exercise, we only count those we meet on the ground. So, mobilize your people to be on the ground wherever you want them to be counted.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Comptroller of NPC in Emohua LGA, Mr Festus Amaru commended Dr. Chidi Lloyd for his support to the Commission in the LGA.
He said the staff of the Commission in Emohua LGA had enjoyed the support of Emohua Local Government Council under the leadership of Dr Chidi Lloyd in the programs and activities of the commission.
Mr Amaru, the secretary of the Local Government 2023 Census Publicity Committee, also extended a goodwill message from the Rivers State Representative in the National Population Commission Board, Dr Ipalibo Harry, to the council chairman, promising to serve the committee with the best of his abilities.
The committee which is chaired by the Emolga Council Boss also has the Paramount Ruler of Akpabu/Itu, HRH Eze G C Ordu as a member representing the LGA traditional rulers council.
Other members of the committee are :
1. Bright Jossy-Elendu – ( LGA Information Officer)
2. Mr Michael Chimankpa – (Resident Information Officer).
3. Mr Victor Benjamin – ( Executive Assistant to Emohua LGA Chairman on Documentation & Strategy)
4. Mrs Blessing N.Yingi Jumbo – (NOA Resident Officer, Emohua LGA)
5. Mr Abu Weleme – (Representative of the Youths)
6. Representatives of Religious Groups
(i) Adamu Sulima – (Muslim Rep)
(ii) Rev. Dr Peter Wobihiele – (Christian Rep)
7. Mrs Ngozi Okewe – (Representative of NULGE)
8. Mr Orlunta Anayo Friday – ( Representative of NUT)
9. Ms Oroma Chindah – (Representative of Market Women)
10. Mr Vincent Enyi –
(Representative of Commercial Motorcycle Riders Association)
11. Mr. Elewa-Ikpawa Chris –
(NPC Desk Officer, Emohua LGA)
12. Nagite Sam. David –
(NPC Assistant Technical Officer, Emohua LGA)
The Secretary of Emohua Local Government Council, Chief Vincent Chukwu and members of the Local Government Executive Council, principal officers and appointees of the council witnessed the inauguration.
Bright Jossy-Elendu
Chief Press Secretary To The Chairman, Emohua Local Government Area.
25/4/2023
