By Naomi Sharang

Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo, says that governors of the nine oil producing states are partnering the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for sustainable development in the country.

Uzodimma said this at a news conference on the sidelines of a meeting between the governors and officials of the NDDC, in Abuja on Monday.

HE said the meeting was to provide synergy with the governing council, the governing board and advisory board of the NDDC for the betterment of Nigerians.

“We looked at so many issues; issues of projects, abandoned projects, ongoing projects and also brainstormed on how best we can through that collaboration, advance the course of progress in the commission,” he said.

On abandoned projects, Uzodimma recalled that the previous adminustration under Muhammadu Buhari set up a Policy Coordinating Committee, which identified projects stalled due to paucity of funds.

“Of course, this new board, walking with President Bola Tinubu has risen to the occasion and they are working out ways and means to ensure that those projects are completed.

“There is no politics about it. This government is sensitive. He wants the nation to be developed, he wants our people to feel the positive impact of the initiatives of the new board.

“They are working together hand in hand to protect and satisfy the aspirations and yearnings of our people,” he said

Also speaking, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, said the governors had pledged to the commission, adding that, “NDDC does not have a geographical location. It is the state governments that have boundaries. So whatever projects we are embarking on are in the states.

“So, we have to work with the state governments to ensure that we achieve optimal results.”

Ogbuku said that President Tinubu was committed to ensuring the completion of all the ongoing and abandoned projects in the region.

“As you can see, just in commemoration of Tinubu’s one year in office, he commissioned laudable and legacy projects and so we are still working on inaugurating more and also finishing the remaining ones.

“Some of these projects are projects that started 15 years ago, so it is not something we can finish in one year.

“The President has given us a matching order that he wants to commission projects, landmark projects in the region in the next two years. So we are looking at completing most of these projects within the period of two years,” he said.

On the East-West road, Ogbuku said the commission was giving the Federal Ministry of Works every support to ensure that the project was completed.

“The East-West road is a federal government project. It’s not under NDDC. But, we are actually giving the ministry of works every support to ensure that the project is completed,” he said.

Earlier, the Oil Producing States Governors’ Forum elected Uzodimma as its Chairman, and his Bayelsa counterpart, Douye Diri as vice chairman while Bassey Otu of Cross River emerged as the secretary.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Bashir Rabe Mani

By Folasade Akpan

The National Population Commission (NPC) is prepared to conduct the National Population and Housing Census but awaiting President Bola Tinubu’s approval for a date, the Chairman, Mr Isa Kwarra, says.

Kwarra said this on Monday in Abuja at a new conference, to herald the commemoration of the World Population Day 2024, marked on July 11 every year.

This year’s celebration has the theme: “Embracing the Power of Inclusive Data Towards a Resilient and Equitable Future for All”.

According to Kwarra, the United Nations recommends that censuses are conducted every 10 years.

“The 2020 round of census is ending this year. We will be making a hypothesis to make sure that we conduct the census before the 2020 round of census comes to an end.

“I want to believe that we will get it right, we are just waiting on the president to give us the date, and the commission is ever prepared to do it once we have a date declared by the President.

“The resources should be able to recruit extra hands to help us in conducting a very robust census that will provide inclusive data that is not just verifiable, but will be acceptable by all.

“If we start now, we can achieve it; at least the 2020 round of census gives us an opportunity to extend up to April 2025.”

He, however, said that the commission would prefer to carry out the exercise in November, as that was what was planned for earlier in the year.

Speaking about the importance of conducting the census, Kwarra said it would enable the nation have the right information/evidence/data for measuring and predicting likely demographic shifts.

“We need to hold a census that will deploy modern technology to generate timely, reliable and acceptable data required for addressing the different needs of the various population groups.

“Also, to implement interventions that will create opportunities for progress and remove barriers and inhibitions.”

The Country Representative, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr Gifty Addico, said that timely censuses would provide the baseline data needed to track progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Represented by the Deputy Country Representative, Mr Koessan Kuawu, Addico said that it would also help to formulate policies that addressed the diverse needs of Nigeria’s population.

“In Nigeria, our delay to generate timely inclusive data through the Population and Housing Census and other exercises have masked the progress made, so much so that obsolete data is being used to assess our progress made toward the SDGs.

“Hence, timely population and housing census represents a critical opportunity.

“As we prepare to enter a new 2030 round of population and housing census era, we must ensure that our data generation exercises are prioritised and conducted timely and regularly.

“We must be respectful of individual rights and accurately reflects the multifaceted experiences of all people.

“I, therefore, call on Nigeria to build a resilient and equitable future, by prioritising investment in comprehensive population data systems, ensuring safe and inclusive data collection, collaborating with marginalised communities, leveraging technology responsibly, and supporting the national census.”

The Chairman, Association of the Advancement of the Family Planning (AAFP), Dr Ejike Orji, said that without census data, the country was like a ship without a rudder for decision makers.

He also said that having committed more than 70 per cent of the resources needed for the census if the exercise was not carried out, Nigeria would lose a lot.

“So, that is why we are appealing that government should make sure this happens. If it doesn’t happen, we’re in trouble.”

On the theme for the World Population Day 2024, the Statistician-General of the Federation, Mr Adeyemi Adeniran, said that it held a particular significance for Nigeria, a nation of immense potential and diverse demographics.

“Inclusive data is the cornerstone of informed decision-making and policy development.

“It provides us with the insights needed to understand the realities faced by different segments of our population and empowers us to design targeted interventions to address inequalities and disparities.

He added that Nigeria’s population which was diverse and vibrant presented both immense opportunities and significant challenges.

“However, to effectively harness the full potential of the demographic landscape, the nation needed data that was not only comprehensive but also inclusive.” (NAN) 

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Sunday John

The Federal Government has sought the cooperation of Cross River, Ebonyi, Kogi, Benue and Nasarawa state governments to fast track construction of a superhighway linking the states with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Sen. David Umahi, Minister of Works, stated this during a meeting with the state governors, on Saturday in Lafia, Nasarawa.

He said the superhighway, initiated under the Renewed Hope Legacy Infrastructure project, goes beyond road construction, describing it as an investment that would serve as a catalyst to revive Nigeria’s economy.

Umahi listed the 700 kilometre Lagos-Ondo-Edo-Delta-Bayelsa-Rivers-Akwa Ibom-Cross Rivers; Sokoto-Kebbi-Niger-Kwara-Oyo-Ogun-Badagry, and Cross Rivers-Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa-Apo routes as the legacy projects of the Bola Tinubu’s administration.

According to him, these projects will bring significant benefits, particularly to the states involved.

“I urge you to support Mr President, who still has several years to deliver these projects. We believe that within the remaining years, these three legacy projects will be completed,” he said.

The minister said the road projects would be constructed of reinforced concrete, capable of lasting up to 50 years before requiring maintenance.

“Each section will consist of six lanes, with integrated train tracks and solar streetlights,” he said, adding that the Sokoto-Badagry route alone would feature 53 dams.

He said the Federal Executive Council (FEC), had directed the prioritisation of long-standing federal government projects across the country for completion.

In their seperate remarks, stakeholders and governors of the affected states lauded President Tinubu for the initiative.

Gov. Abdullahi Sule, who chairs the North-Central Governors’ Forum, pledged support to facilitate successful execution of the project.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong