Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State has donated 10 motorcycles and security gadgets to the Forest Guards and Neighbourhood Watch, preparatory to the 2023 General Census.

The Chairman of the council, Mr. Philip Okoh, presented the items on Wednesday in Enugu during the National Population Commission’s (NPC) engagement with Enugu West Senatorial Zone stakeholders for the trial census.

He said that the items would be deployed in providing adequate security for the enumerators during the exercise.

The Federal Commissioner representing the state, Mr. Ejike Eze, lauded the chairman for his commitment to the security of his people and the enumerators.

He told the stakeholders that the engagement was to ensure a successful trial census in the zone.

He solicited their support to enable the commission to get accurate data.

According to him, the data will help in getting the population figure for proper allocation of resources and even development.

“We need data to determine the population of the country to be able to channel development properly.

“So, we are here to discuss with you and agree on how to do the census and get accurate data of our people.

“The trial census is a kind of dress rehearsal and this is the first digital census we are conducting in Nigeria,” Eze said.

He further said that the NPC wanted to use the trial census to correct any error that might occur during the main census.

He said: “We are doing this to make sure we do not disappoint our people during the general census.

“We have five states and we cannot create more space on the internet but we can get development and many other things by data.

“All we need is, to let our people cooperate during the census to get the accurate number for our good.

Earlier, the council chairman assured the commission of the support of his administration and stakeholders for a peaceful exercise in the zone.

He said, “As we are here for the trial census, I want our people to know the importance of the census.

He urged the people from the area to return home during the census to enable them to benefit from Federal Government’s development plan for the zone.

“We will make sure that we cooperate and ensure the security of the enumerators that would be deployed to our area.

“I have prepared for their security by buying ten motorcycles and other security gadgets to ensure their protection,” Okoh said.