2016 Census to gulp N273 billion

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday charged government agencies to harmonise the collection and usage of biometric data instead of replicating efforts, after he was told that a planned 2016 national census will cost the country N273 billion.

Chairman of the National Population Commission, Mr Eze Duruiheoma, had told the president in Abuja that the commission would require the money to be able to conduct the census, in line with UN recommendation.

Duruiheoma added that he would need N10 billion additionally to prepare for the census.

He told the President that a biometric-based census was being proposed because it would eliminate multiple and ghost respondents, while making the outcome easy to audit.

After he spoke, President Buhari called for synergy among Government organizations that collect biometric data.

Among the agencies are the National Population Commission, National Identity Management Commission, Federal Road Safety Commission, and Independent National Electoral Commission, among others.

Buhari wondered why each agency would gather its own biometric data, when such data could easily be shared.

“It will be more cost effective if you work together. It helps even the credibility of the election process, as Nigerians of voting age can be identified easily'', he said.

Buhari added that all the agencies should work collaboratively, instead of going in different directions, stressing that adequate data was necessary for planning and development in any country.TheNews

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