The federal government has released about 60 percent of the N198 billion budgeted for 2023, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said on Thursday.

Mr. Osinbajo also said the federal government has spent the sum of N21 billion on the mapping of the country into enumeration areas for the 2023 census.

The vice president disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja at the Breakfast Meeting with Partners on the 2023 Population and Housing Census.

The breakfast meeting was organized by the National Population Commission (NPC) in collaboration with UNFPA.

Mr. Osinbajo was represented by Laolu Akande, his spokesman.

“The federal government had demonstrated tangible commitment to the conduct of the 2023 Population and Housing Census as evidenced in the provision of funds for the implementation of important preliminary activities.

“Specifically, the Federal Government has spent about N21 billion for the mapping of the country into enumeration areas for the census.

“The government, so far, has now approved the sum of N198 billion in the 2022 Appropriation Act of which about 60 percent has since been released,’’ he said.

He said that the funds had positioned the commission in readiness for the successful conduct of the census in April 2023