IPAC to NPC: Census must not be used to siphon public funds

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has called on the federal government not to allow the population census to be a waste of resources and time.

Speaking during an interview with NAN on Friday, Olusegun Mobolaji, Lagos IPAC chairman, said the essence of the exercise should not be defeated.

“It is a good step in the right direction. Under a normal circumstance, any nation that cares about its people and their well-being as well as development, infrastructure should conduct this at regular intervals,” Mobolaji said.

“We should know the average number of people and the age category so as to make provision when it comes to education, health and other basic amenities for the people.

“This data and statistics should help the government to make proper provisions for all categories of citizens that we have.

“We just pray that this will not be an exercise in futility or another channel of siphoning public funds.

“I am afraid this will not bring financial corruption that will still take away the little resources that we have as a nation.

“It should not be a waste of the nation’s resources without bringing desired results. We should guard against anything that can make it another waste of resources and time.”

Mobolaji said the exercise should generate improvement and advancement for the nation.

“We have everything it takes to grow this nation, make it rapidly developing and build the economy,” he said.

“When we look at the motif behind the population census, everyone knows it is a good thing in the right direction, but will Nigeria not remain the same because of leadership failure after the enumeration?

“This exercise should give Nigerians confidence that things will change for good for them.”

The IPAC boss expressed hope that the incoming administration would use the exercise to effect positive changes in the country.

On Saturday, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the postponement of the census indefinitely.