The Bayelsa governor, Douye Diri says it is a thing of shame that Nigeria lacks accurate census data and tasked the National Population Commission to make right the wrongs of past census figures in the 2023 national census exercise.
Governor Diri stated this during the Stakeholders Summit on the 2023 Population and Housing Census held at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Government House, Yenagoa.
The 2006 census figures showed Bayelsa had a population of 1,704,515.
Governor Douye Diri who was the special guest of honor at the Summit on the 2023 Population and Housing Census says the figures attributed to the state by the National Population Commission NPC were grossly underestimated.
He stressed that Bayelsa state had grown beyond the current structure of eight local governments and that due to its contributions to the national purse, deserved better.
Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission in charge of Bayelsa State, Gloria Izonfuo is hopeful of a credible and reliable census that will be acceptable to all Nigerians.
The 2023 Population and Housing Census is billed to commence in April next year.
Editor : Ena Agbanoma
