The National Population and Housing Census, which is scheduled to take place in May 2023, should not be conducted, according to the Benue State Government.

The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) stated on Tuesday that many individuals and communities would not be captured if the exercise went ahead as scheduled.

Recall that, Governor Samuel Ortom requested a few weeks ago that the federal government delay the census until the internally displaced people (IDPs) in Benue and other states of the Federation were allowed to return to their homes.

The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Dr. Emmanuel Shior, who stressed the call for the suspension of the census while addressing journalists in Makurdi, said it was necessary to shift the exercise so that many people would not be disenfranchised.

“We’re calling for the suspension of the census for now because we suspect that if the federal government continues, a lot of people will be left out as their homes and communities will not be captured.”

“The census we are working out presents a significant challenge. Remember that the census counts not just the people but also the houses they live in.   The fact that the population is displaced and living in camps presents a significant challenge, he said. 

After the briefing, Shior distributed food to IDPs throughout the state, mentioning that this month’s distribution effort would include all displaced people living in both official and unofficial camps.

Bags of rice, cartons of noodles, condiments (tomatoes, Maggi, salts), gari, and yam were among the items listed by the SEMA boss as being distributed.