Census: NPC concludes training for field staff in Bayelsa

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The National Population Commission (NPC) has concluded the training of field functionaries for the 2nd Pre-test exercise in designated EAs in four Local Government Areas (LGA) in Bayelsa.
The exercise which is a trial of the census questionnaire will take place from 3 Dec to 10 Dec 2021.
Mrs. Gloria Izonfuo, Federal Commissioner, NPC in Bayelsa said on Thursday in Yenagoa that, the commission had earlier conducted the first Pre-test to test-run the census instruments.
She explained that as a result of the continued efforts of the commission to improve on its readiness for the census that it resolved to conduct the second pre-test exercise.
According to her, the training is an integral part of the preparation for the fieldwork exercise.
She said the secnd pre-test is designed to train the comptrollers, supervisors and enumerators and other field functionaries in readiness for the 2nd census pre-test fieldwork.
She further explained that Pre-test is usually conducted before the actual census and is primarily aimed at testing the census methodology, questionnaires, data collection methods, manual for fieldwork and so on.
According to Izonfuo, in carrying out this pre-test exercise, 12 Enumeration Areas in all four LGAs.
The participating LGAs are Yenagoa, Ekeremor, Sagbama, and Southern Ijaw.
She noted that in the next few days, participants at the training will re-evaluate the skills and practical demonstrations of operations in the field.
She said the effort will deliver a truly scientific Pre-test that can prepare the ground for a credible and acceptable census exercise.
She also added that the conduct of the training is strategic in ensuring that the continuous journey they make for the next Census is strong and error proof.
According to her, getting the Pre-test right is not just an option, but an absolute necessity, she noted that their quest to deliver to the nation an accurate, reliable, acceptable and verifiable census is a top priority.
She said the commission will ensure that the 2nd Pre-test for the next census is carried out meticulously, professionally and scientifically in order to provide the basis for the smooth conduct of the May 2022 Census.
Izonfuo noted that that the commission is adopting a gradual but meticulous approach to ensure that methodology and strategies for the pre-test are well tested and the personnel for the exercise are adequately trained.
She appealed to the state, local governments, traditional institutions and communities to support the commission in carrying out the pre-test exercise by allowing unfettered access to facilities and places to be enumerated.
Izonfuo urged them to also sensitize the people on the essence of the pre-test exercise and solicit for their cooperation and also appealed to all stakeholders to refrain from undue interference in the pre-test exercise.
She urged them to allow the field functionaries to carry out their duties professionally and give the nation a good outcome that will help the commission in its effort to prepare for a successful census.