By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The National Population Commission (NPC) in Anambra State has taken delivery of 21 pieces each of laptops, tablets, printers and generators for the pilot survey in the 148 registration centers.

NPC Federal Commissioner in Anambra State, Mr. Chidi Ezeoke, disclosed this in Awka, the state capital.

He said that the Commission has demarcated a total of six Local Government Areas of Awka, Dunukofia, Idemili, Aguata, Ekwusigo and Anambra East, remaining 15 council areas, adding that the remaining items are expected soon, either from the headquarters or from its donor agencies.

Ezeoke announced this during the occasion of the 2020 World Population Day, with the theme, ‘Putting the Brakes on COVID-19: How To Safeguard The Health and Rights of Women and Girls Now’.

The Commissioner who was represented by the State Director, Ulasi Joachin, explained that the choice of the theme was informed by the greater percentage of women and girls in the informal sector affected by the lockdown.

He gave assurance of the Commission’s preparedness to capture the increasing number of births recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic in the state, adding: “The Commission is not ignorant of the upsurge in the number of births. It has directed its staff to report to work daily in order to meet up with the demands.

“As you know, the Head of Service directed that all federal staff from GL14 and above should be going to work, with exception of those on essential duties. The same applied to the NPC as one of federal agencies of government.

“But because we’re registering births and deaths, our staff who are below level 14 are working to solve the upsurge challenge occasioned by the pandemic. I think we’re fully prepared for the challenge.

“Besides, as part of the agencies on essential duty, you'll also see our staff in the various Health Centers, and at the Local Government offices just to ensure the registration of these births are adequately covered.

“Our concentration is on women because they are the worst hit. The lockdown impacted more negatively on them than their male counterparts.

“Yet another effect of COVID-19 on women and girls is the noticeable increase in gender based violence ranging from rape, physical and emotional assault, some of which have resulted in loss of lives.”