Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has inaugurated the Committee on the Enrollment of Abia indigenes and residents into the National Identity Data Base with the mandate to correct the wrong population figure ascribed to the State during the last Census exercise and obtain a reliable data base for accurate planning and governance.
Inaugurating the Committee at the Government House, Umuahia, Governor Ikpeazu charged members to ensure that the enrollment of citizens was effectively carried out in the State considering its importance in the overall development of the State.
He urged Abians to register at any National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) office nearest to them and collect their National Identity Card to enable them enjoy the benefits while Government would be equipped to plan using the data generated.
Ikpeazu, who charged the Committee members to embark on an enlightenment campaign to mobilize Abia indigenes and residents alike to get registered in order to get the desired result, explained that the State Government decided to collaborate with NIMC and BIOSEC in addition to incorporating Stakeholders and relevant officials in Government because of the importance of the exercise and urged them to immediately convene a meeting to kick start.
Governor Ikpeazu was represented at the inauguration by his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, who is also the Chairman of the Committee.
Responding on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee and the State Deputy Governor, the Manager Of BIOSEC, Dr Agu Osoka while appreciating to the Governor for an enabling environment to function, promised that the Committee would deliver on its mandate of ensuring that the State and Federal Government obtain reliable data for planning.
The Committee, which was drawn from Heads of relevant Ministries and critical Stakeholders, has the Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, as the Chairman.
Other members of the Committee are the SSG, Bar Chris Ezem, Commissioners for Finance, Information, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Budget and Planning, Dr Aham Uko, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, Chief Gabriel Onyedinefu and Chief DK Uduma, respectively, Manager of BIOSEC, Dr Agu Osoka, State Coordinator of NIMC, Mr Loveday Ogbonna and NIMC Government House Liaison Officer, Mrs Gladwill Osoagbaka.