During a recent budget review session, the House of Representatives raised concerns about the National Population Commission’s readiness to carry out a population and housing census nationwide. The lawmakers questioned discrepancies in budget documents provided to the Committee and expressed doubts about the Commission’s preparedness.
The budget allocation for the 2023 census was scrutinized, with N841.97bn budgeted for various census activities. However, concerns were raised over the Commission’s 2024 Appropriation of N12.77bn, which included allocations for capital expenditure, overhead costs, and personnel expenses.
Chairman Nasiru Kwara detailed that a significant portion of the capital expenditure had been utilized, but issues arose when a lawmaker highlighted ongoing investigations into a supplementary budget for the NPC. The Committee visited the Central Bank of Nigeria to further investigate the matter.
Criticism was directed at the NPC Chairman for allegedly presenting misleading information regarding the budget performance, particularly concerning anticipatory funds. Lawmakers expressed disappointment over the low proposed capital expenditure for 2025, emphasizing the importance of accurate budget reporting.
The NPC’s proposed expenditures for 2025 were outlined, including allocations for census activities, office infrastructure, research, and various operational costs. Despite being 80% prepared for the 2023 census, the Commission had to postpone the exercise due to transitional issues. Plans are now being revised for the 2030 census round.
In conclusion, the House of Representatives emphasized the importance of accurate budget reporting and expressed concerns about the NPC’s readiness to conduct the population and housing census effectively.