The Federal Commissioner representing Abia State in the National Population Commission, NPC, Emma Eke, has advised parents in Abia State to utilise the opportunity of the ongoing free birth registration of their children to enjoy the benefits.
Eke, who spoke in Umuahia over the weekend, expressed worry that the response by parents to the ongoing exercise has not been encouraging despite the sensitisation campaigns carried out about its importance.
He said that the free birth registration would guarantee Abia and the South East children access to government programmes and opportunities.
The federal commissioner, who listed the benefits of the free birth registration to include health insurance assessment, social security, government official identification, economic plans, and school enrolment, among others, also said that it will help Abia State and the South East achieve increased resource allocation.
He assured Abia parents that the free birth registration would not be used for any negative purpose.
His words: “This birth registration enrolment will enable school enrolment at the age of entering school and also, government is planning to use it as an instrument to have that child partake in any of the primary healthcare programmes.
He continued: “It is also a mini census of sorts. Resources are allocated based on number. If they find out that the number in the South East is low or Abia is low, what Abia State will get from the national treasury will be low.”
