Edo people have been called upon to embrace data collection exercise recently embarked upon by the Godwin Obaseki Administration in the state as it is geared towards ensuring that the government brings development closer to the people.
The enumeration exercise is targeted at collecting relevant data for development planning with the ultimate goal of fixing infrastructure deficit and engendering sustainable development.
Two Planning and Development experts in Edo State made the call in Benin recently, the first being a development communication expert, Dr. Daniel Ekhareafo who posited that the exercise will help government meet the most crucial needs of residents in urban centers and new towns in the state.
He said: “Government cannot plan development without collecting relevant data. As such, Edo people must help the state government achieve this goal by collaborating with enumerators who are going across the state to collect data for the purpose of effective development planning.
“If you take a study of Benin City, the state capital, you will notice an increase in population growth and the opening of new areas and towns.”
“For example, areas where initially there were no public schools or hospitals, new communities have emerged in these areas and on that basis, there is need to collect data of persons in such areas for the government to be able to allocate resources for the provision of basic needs of the people in the areas,” he added.
Ekhareafo, who is a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Benin (UNIBEN) also stated: “No government can have development without getting relevant data to plan development. After collecting data for the development plan, the government can identify the most felt needs of the people.”
The second expert, Dr. Efosa Aimurie, commended the Obaseki-led administration for the initiative, noting that the exercise will help the government development planning and consequently improve the livelihoods of residents.
