Friday 16 March 2018

Voter’s Card has no political party-Ekong Sampson

Voter’s Card has no political party-Ekong Sampson

...says Nigeria needs a validly acceptable census

As Governor Udom Emmanuel flagged off the pre-census Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) Phase 5, in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Special Adviser in the Bureau of Political/Legislative Affairs and Water Resources has charged the people of the State to disregardtheir political leaning in dealing with issues of data and development planning.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Special Adviser said Nigeria as nation cannot afford to ignore the importance of the Enumeration Area Demarcation exercise which expectedly will provide Nigeria ample background to conduct credible, reliable and acceptable credible national population and housing census, a process critical to national planning and sustainable development.

Barrister Ekong Sampson described the exercise as timely and a golden opportunity for the people of Akwa Ibom State to prepare to stand up and be counted. He commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for the value he attaches and support, which brought about great success in the previous phases at Oron, Nsit Ibom and IkotEkpene Local Government Areas. He stated that by encouraging and supporting this important activity, Governor Udom Emmanuel has further demonstrated capacity, patriotism and visionary leadership.


Sampson said census just like national identity and voter’s registration cuts across political persuasions. He particularly stated that “voter card has no political party”.

The Special Adviser said the Bureau has been working with other political party chieftains to drive the such national programmes as the Continuous Voter Registration, National ID Card Scheme and particularly cited the good working relationship between the Bureau and the National Population Commission in the State, headed by an APC Chieftain, Engr. Benedict Ukpong.
He urged the people of Onna to continually show-case the friendship, accommodating and receptive qualities that the Onna people are known for as well as provide maximum support to officials of both National Population Commission and Independent National Electoral Commission to assist them in their work and also enhance the task of moving Onna Local Government Area to a greater height.

The Honourable Federal Commissioner of National Population Commission, Engr. (Chief) Benedict Ukpong appreciated Governor Udom Emmanuel for his support for population matters and the Special Adviser in the Bureau for his effort towards ensuring the success of the EAD projects in previous phases.
According to the NPC Commissioner, the commission like in the previous phases has been working with the Independent National Electoral Commission to delineate existing wards or registration area boundaries in the LGA for election purposes. He said children of ages 0-17 years will be registered and issued Birth Certificates. He however stated that for this particular phase, UNICEF, being a technical partner of the Commission in the exercise, has instructed that only children of 0-59 months be registered.

The Chairman of Onna Local Government Council, Rt. Hon. Sunday Attat, assured the NPC officials of the cooperation of the people of the area towards the success of the exercise. He also assured of the safety and security of field workers.

The Paramount Ruler, of Onna, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Raymond Inyang, also assured the officials of the cooperation of royal fathers to ensure the success of the exercise.


Also in attendance were: the Director of NPC in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Benjamin Ndaobong, former Chairman on Onna LGA, Otuekong Patrick Ifon, Permanent Secretaries of SUBEB and the Political Affairs Bureau, Mr. Elder Ezekiel Umoh and Elder Nse Edem, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council among others.

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