The Census Tribunal on Friday attributed its problems to public perception on its operations. Mr Habibu Ma’aruf, the Tribunal `B’ Chairman, expressed the view in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Ma’aruf said the tribunal was established to receive petitions from aggrieved local government areas against the 2006 census figures, which were released by the National Population Commission (NPC).
He said although aggrieved councils were expected to file their petitions within six months after the publication of census result, many were not abreast of the time limit for such action.
Ma’aruf, however, called for the collaboration of the media to educate the public on the responsibilities of the tribunal and the period within which to file petitions to avoid waste of time and resources.
NAN recalls that the result of the 2006 population and household census was published in February 2009, putting Nigeria’s population at 140 million
“What the villagers know is that NPC had conducted a headcount, which was alleged by many to be inaccurate. They equally know that they can contest the figures in the tribunal.
“So, there is need for the Federal Government and NPC to educate the populace through the mass media on the consequences of filing petitions, when and how to file them,’’ he said.