Ahead the 2018 Census, the National Population Commission (NPC) on Wednesday kicked off the fourth phase of Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area in Bayelsa.

Mrs. Gloria Izonfuo, Federal Commissioner of the NPC in Bayelsa, announced the development during an advocacy visit to Chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA. She called on the Chairman and stakeholders to support the Commission’s activities in the state.

Izonfuo explained that the 4th phase of the EAD is being conducted nationwide by the Commission.

The Federal Commissioner said that the demarcation has been ongoing in phases, stressing that Ogbia and Nembe were successfully demarcated in the second and third phases respectively.

She said that Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA in Bayelsa has been selected for the EAD exercise in the 4th phase scheduled to run from October 30 to November 19, 2017.

Izonfuo further explained that the Commission would be working with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stressing that any community in dispute would not be demarcated for security reasons.

She also spoke on the inherent benefits of birth registration and need for every child born in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA to have their births registered with the NPC.

The birth registration exercise is an opportunity for people to register the births of their children and obtain certificates as the registration would be taking place simultaneously with the EAD in order to ensure the registration of birth of children from 0 – 17 years of age.

As part of her advocacy visit to Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA, Izonfuo also paid courtesy calls on monarchs, King Mozi Agara, Aluku III, the Ebedaowei of Kolokuma and King Okpoitari Diongoli, Opu Okun IV, Ebedaowei of Opokuma, in their palaces.

She intimated them on the activities of the Commission in their domains and secured their endorsement and royal blessings to achieve a hitch free exercise.

Accompanied by the Chairman, Mr. Wisdom Fafi, the Federal Commissioner also had an interactive session with the traditional rulers and stakeholders from the eleven wards in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA.

In his response, the Chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA congratulated Izonfuo on her appointment and promised to collaborate with the Commission to get the needed support to ensure a hitch free EAD in the area.

Fafi urged everyone to take the EAD and birth registration exercises seriously, and advised all participants to sensitise their communities.

In his vote of thanks, the State Director of the National Population Commission, Mr. Esido Miegbemo expressed appreciation to the stakeholders of Kolokuma/Opokuma for their warm reception and support for the demarcation exercise.