The National Population Commission, NPC, in Cross River State has denied allegations circulating on social media that materials meant for the national population and housing census were diverted to All Progressives Congress, APC, wards in Biase Local Government Area.

The allegation had accused the Federal Commissioner of the Commission in the state, Bishop Alex Ukam, who is also the leader of the APC in Biase Local Government Area, of diverting sensitive census items, including power banks and life jackets, to his political supporters.

Reacting to the allegation in Calabar on Friday, the Director of the NPC in Cross River State, Mr. Roland Odey, described the claims as false, unfounded and a calculated attempt by political opponents to tarnish the image of the Commissioner and the Commission.

Odey clarified that sensitive materials meant for population and housing census exercises are traditionally kept in the custody of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, for security reasons and not in NPC state offices.

According to him, the materials, which include laptops, tablets, power banks, raincoats and life jackets, had been in CBN custody for a long time, but safety concerns, particularly over power banks nearing their expiry dates and combustible risks, prompted the apex bank to act.

“The CBN wrote to the Presidency over safety concerns, especially with power banks that were nearing expiry and could pose risks. The Presidency thereafter authorised the auction of such items,” Odey explained.

He disclosed that following the approval from the Presidency, the NPC headquarters in Abuja directed all state offices to liaise with the CBN to facilitate the auction, with professional licensed auctioneers engaged by the national office to conduct the exercise across the country.

In Cross River, Odey said the auction took place last Monday and lasted for two days at the Commission’s office in Calabar, attracting a huge crowd of buyers and onlookers.

“The place looked like a market because of the huge turnout of buyers. The state office had no control over the sales; it was entirely handled by the professional auctioneers engaged from Abuja. It was an open and transparent process,” he said.

He stressed that contrary to claims that life jackets and other materials were diverted, only power banks were auctioned in Cross River State, as approved.

Odey urged politicians and social media commentators to always verify information before going public, warning that unsubstantiated allegations were capable of damaging hard-earned reputations and causing unnecessary public embarrassment.

He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to transparency and integrity ahead of the forthcoming population and housing census.