The governor stressed that the state had grown beyond the current structure of eight local government areas.

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has faulted the population figures attributed to the state by the National Population Commission (NPC), saying they were grossly underestimated.

The governor also said the current population data for the country was inaccurate and called on the NPC to correct past census figures in the 2023 national census exercise.

Governor Diri stated this on Tuesday during the Stakeholders Summit on the 2023 Population and Housing Census held at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Government House, Yenagoa.

Buttressing his claim, the governor stressed that the state had grown beyond the current structure of eight local government areas, noting that, for instance, the projected population of Yenagoa, the state capital, points to the fact that the state’s population was misrepresented.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that such faulty census figures were responsible for the under-representation of Bayelsa in the House of Representatives with only five members.

Senator Diri emphasised that due to its tremendous growth and contribution to the national economy as a result of its oil resources, Bayelsa deserved more federal presence.

He said: “By the 2006 census figures, Bayelsa had a population of 1,704,515. That figure was not correct. But we are hopeful that the next exercise will give a more reliable and acceptable figure.

“Our government is convinced that the National Population Commission has the commitment and capacity to deliver to Nigerians and, indeed, to Bayelsa State very credible, reliable, valid and acceptable population figures.

“As a government, we are deeply concerned that Bayelsa has grown beyond the current structure of eight local governments. Clearly, we are under-represented in the House of Representatives with only five members. And the current projected population of Yenagoa points to these facts. Due to our exponential growth and contributions to the national economy from our oil resources, we deserve more federal presence.”

Diri said the NPC should realise that an accurate census is critical to the nation’s democracy and economy because it underpins fair representation in government and enables those in authority to provide appropriate funding for healthcare, schools, roads and other critical infrastructure.

The governor described population figures as one of the basic parameters in the sharing of revenue, particularly in Nigeria.

In her address, the Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission in charge of Bayelsa State, Mrs Gloria Izonfuo, hinted that the 2023 census would be fully digitalised in line with United Nations principles and recommendations for the 2020 Round of Population and Housing Censuses.

robinso01:
All na assumption. They assumed that northerners have highest population in nigeria because of the way they gives birth

Kingpin1000:
Na that censors under OBJ northerners carry play southerners 419.
Under Obasanjo regime o.
Then somebody go say northerners no smart. Na northerners smart pass for Nigeria.
There account go dey read millions but na only 3 cloth den get. Northerners would rather pay for for a single room with upto 6 people living inside than build a house.
One man wey I dey pity tell me say him dey vex say him no sell onions well this year na only 6+ million naira him sell and baba still get cows o, wetin baba wear for leg na bathroom slippers. You be mumu if you feel say aboki na mumu.

rusher14:
Your numbers during election could be an Indicator.

Also, mobile phone usage could give another indication.

Kingpin1000:
Na that censors under OBJ northerners carry play southerners 419.
Under Obasanjo regime o.
Then somebody go say northerners no smart. Na northerners smart pass for Nigeria.
There account go dey read millions but na only 3 cloth den get. Northerners would rather pay for for a single room with upto 6 people living inside than build a house.
One man wey I dey pity tell me say him dey vex say him no sell onions well this year na only 6+ million naira him sell and baba still get cows o, wetin baba wear for leg na bathroom slippers. You be mumu if you feel say aboki na mumu.

Pells:
If it's accurate
Will it bring development to the state!
Some persons are naturally dumb

sulaak:


If they are smart, 90% of Northern Nigeria will not be living in extreme poverty.

Kingpin1000:
Na that censors under OBJ northerners carry play southerners 419.
Under Obasanjo regime o.
Then somebody go say northerners no smart. Na northerners smart pass for Nigeria.
There account go dey read millions but na only 3 cloth den get. Northerners would rather pay for for a single room with upto 6 people living inside than build a house.
One man wey I dey pity tell me say him dey vex say him no sell onions well this year na only 6+ million naira him sell and baba still get cows o, wetin baba wear for leg na bathroom slippers. You be mumu if you feel say aboki na mumu.

Kingpin1000:
Na that censors under OBJ northerners carry play southerners 419.
Under Obasanjo regime o.
Then somebody go say northerners no smart. Na northerners smart pass for Nigeria.
There account go dey read millions but na only 3 cloth den get. Northerners would rather pay for for a single room with upto 6 people living inside than build a house.
One man wey I dey pity tell me say him dey vex say him no sell onions well this year na only 6+ million naira him sell and baba still get cows o, wetin baba wear for leg na bathroom slippers. You be mumu if you feel say aboki na mumu.

PoliteActivist:
Stating the obvious.
Populations of our Northern Brothers are inflated and have always been inflated since colonial times!

One minute

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJEio2AqsKU

Two minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb_aCB0x208

ibechris:



U met a reasonable aboki...all the ones that I know personally are lazy.

Bodmas94:


https://saharareporters.com/2022/09/28/governor-diri-queries-bayelsa-population-figure-says-nigeria-lacks-adequate-census

Pells:
If it's accurate
Will it bring development to the state!
Some persons are naturally dumb

Kingpin1000:

Bros I dey tell you say thise people dey pretend you dey talk about poverty. Northerners get money pass Southerner, dem dey open bank for northerners on sunday, if you see money wey those people dey deposit e ho shock you.
Southerners do militancy and UGM with boat and buses but Nothern bandits dey use helicopter ,how dem take get helicopter.
You see wetin dem do Wike and wetin dem dey cook for Tinubu?

udemzyudex:


I get one of my guy wet go Alaba go buy laptops from container, most of them wey dey there no get the money to buy the full container since the seller be wan clear am off,dem contribute money among those wey dey around but e no reach.

Na one aboki come buy everything including the car wey dey inside the container.
Dem come need to beg aboki make he sell some for them because dem no fit just to empty handed like that.

This na container wey worth over #10m ooo