The Abia State Federal Commissioner National Population Commission, Johnny Nwanne Nwabuisi, has disclosed that the Commission has commenced the conduct of a trial census in preparation for the planned 2023 population and housing census.
He noted that the trial census would only cover nine out of the 17 local government areas of the state.
The National Population Commissioner while briefing newsmen in Umuahia,the state capital,disclosed that the selected areas are: Abia North: Bende (Isiegbu); Ohafia ( Nkporo Etitiama) and Isuikwuato (Umunneukwu agbo); Abia Central: Umuahia North (Mbaocha Ohokobe-Ndume); Isialangwa North (Alaukwu Omoba); and Osisioma (Ahiaba Abayi Ogbuligba); and Abia South: Aba North (Okpokoroala Umunneato); Obingwa (Ovom Amairiabuo); and Owerre Aba in Ugwunagbo L.G.A.
According to Nwabuisi,the exercise started in the state from July 13 enumerators are currently moving round the selected communities.
The Abia State Population Committee Chairman, Eric Acho Nwakanma, represented by the Secretary of the Committee, Mr. Charles Amah,in a remark, said that Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu-led administration would ensure that the next population census would be seamless in the state.
He added that the collation of reliable data on population is a key requirement for effective planning and national development, pointing out that periodic census was critical to national development.
