The Akwa Ibom state government has announced that its population estimate has increased from three million as at 2006 to over six million in 2018
The Commissioner for Economic Development, Labour and Manpower Planning, Ekong Sampson disclosed this in Uyo on Friday at the official launch of the “Akwa Ibom State Demographic Dividend Profile”, a compendium of the State’s demographic data, published by his Ministry.
According to Ekong, “the current population estimate has grown drastically from 3,902,051 in 2006 to the current estimate of about 6m, with a projection to reach 7.3 million in 2025 and 10.7 million in 2030,” adding that if not checked, the figure would double itself in 2039.
The commissioner, who attributed the State’s population explosion to peace, security and the industrialisation drive of Governor Udom Emmanuel, warned of the adverse effect if the increment is not matched with commensurate supply of resources.
His words, “The rapid growth and expansion experienced in the population of Akwa Ibom State has been linked to the prevailing peace, improved security and attractions created by the industrialisation drive of the Governor Udom Emmanuel administration in the state. These, over the years, have drawn population from various parts of Nigeria and the world at large to the State.
“But there is possible adverse effects, especially if it grows faster than the supply of other resources. Such consideration made it imperative to search for solutions to population problems and pressures”.
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