By Kenneth Onuoha
365Daily – The National Population Commission (NPC) Federal Commissioner in charge of Ebonyi State, Hon. Darlington Okereke, has disclosed that the Commission has concluded Enumeration Area Demarcation (EADs) in 12 out of the 13 Local Governments Areas in the state.
Okereke made the disclosure in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, on Thursday, June 24, 2021, while briefing newsmen on the ongoing Phase 15 of the Enumeration Area Demarcation in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state.
He said that the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) involves the division of the country into small geographical units that can be covered by a pair of Enumerators during the census period.
“The National Population Commission, in fulfilment of its constitutional mandate of providing data, undertaking headcounts. field surveys, for national planning has embarked on EAD as one of the pre-censal to ensure accuracy, reliability, and acceptability of the National Census Project,” he said.
According to him, ”In Ebonyi State, a total of Eleven (11) Local Government Areas namely Ikwo, Ivo, Ohaozara, Ebonyi, Afikpo North, Afikpo South, Ohaukwu, Onitsha, Ezza North, Ezza South, and Izzi were previously demarcated under Phase _14 of the exercise.”
The NPC Federal Commissioner said that the Enumeration Area Demarcation in the remaining Abakaliki Local Government Area will hold under Phase 16.
“Ishielu Local Government Area has been selected for the Phase 15, the Fieldwork commenced on June 13th 2021. to July 12th 2021, it will cover the entire 16 INEC Registration Areas (wards) in the Local Government Area,” he stated.
Hon. Okereke emphasised that the Commission has embarked on massive publicity, advocacy, sensitisation and enlightenment across the 16 wards.
He appealed for support and assistance from the Ebonyi State Government and Ishielu Local Government Council for the smooth implementation of the exercise.
Speaking against the backdrop of collaboration between the Commission and the National Boundary Commission (NBC), the NPC Commissioner said that the National Population Commission was not involved in demarcation of any locality.
“The National Population Commission (NPC) is not involved in any Boundary Adjustment issue,” he stressed.
In her contribution, the Ebonyi State Director of the National Population Commission, Barrister (Mrs ) Julie Mayinke. said that the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) had been going on smoothly since its commencement.
The media briefing also had the Controller for Ohaukwu Council, Mrs Olachi, in attendance.