2006年VOA标准英语-Nigerian Official: Census Results Ready

By Gilbert da Costa
Abuja
16 November 2006

Nigeria's National Population Commission is set to announce results of last March's national census¹ next month. Censuses² are controversial in Nigeria and the expected announcement comes at a politically sensitive time for Nigeria.

----

A census counters stops by a house in Asaba, Nigeria

The census results are expected to put to rest speculations³ about Nigeria's population.
 
Regarded as Africa's most populous⁴ nation, it relies on estimated figures to determine its actual population. Estimates of Nigeria's population range from 120 million to 160 million.

The census is controversial because rival groups have tried to use their larger population numbers in different districts to claim a larger share of oil revenues and boost their political representation in parliament. Nigeria has about 250 ethnic⁵ groups, each demanding a political voice.
 
More than 1 million officials were involved in the seven-day count. Spokesperson Fati Kadri says the population commission is on the verge⁶ of finalizing⁷ the tabulation⁸ of figures and should be ready to release the results in the next few weeks.

"Between 15 [of November] and end of December, we should expect the results," she said.  "We are going to tell the story as it is. We have seven data processing centers all over the country. So, these data processing centers are finishing up and it will now remain information."

With crucial elections billed for next April, the electoral commission, known as INEC, had asked that the release of the census results be delayed until after the polls. The census commission's Kadri says the population agency is not likely to grant that request.

"INEC, that is their own opinion," she added.  "But we are guided by our own principles, which we are trying to finish. About that time we would have finished, we would have collated⁹, then why should we be keeping the results? Nigerians should be told what it is."

The census was hampered¹⁰ by attacks on census workers, a lack of registration¹¹ forms, census officials protesting over salaries and general logistical problems.
 
The last headcount in 1991 put Nigeria's population at 88.5 million.

1 census   

n.(官方的)人口调查，人口普查

参考例句：

• A census of population is taken every ten years.人口普查每10年进行一次。
• The census is taken one time every four years in our country.我国每四年一次人口普查。

2 censuses   

人口普查，统计( census的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Data derived from population censuses is useful for social researchers. 从人口普查中得到的数据对社会研究者们很有用处。
• UNFPA also helps countries compile reliable demographic data and carry out censuses. 人口基金还帮助各国汇编可靠的人口数据及开展人口普查。

3 speculations   

n.投机买卖( speculation的名词复数 )；思考；投机活动；推断

参考例句：

• Your speculations were all quite close to the truth. 你的揣测都很接近于事实。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• This possibility gives rise to interesting speculations. 这种可能性引起了有趣的推测。 来自《用法词典》

4 populous   

adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的

参考例句：

• London is the most populous area of Britain.伦敦是英国人口最稠密的地区。
• China is the most populous developing country in the world.中国是世界上人口最多的发展中国家。

5 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

6 verge   

n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临

参考例句：

• The country's economy is on the verge of collapse.国家的经济已到了崩溃的边缘。
• She was on the verge of bursting into tears.她快要哭出来了。

7 finalizing   

vt.完成（finalize的现在分词形式）

参考例句：

• You may edit registered information any time during the finalizing period. 您可以在规定期限内随时编辑修改注册资料。 来自互联网
• Natsun Trimming & Ironing, Finalizing the Perfection. 40南山整烫，完美在此定格。 来自互联网

8 tabulation   

作表，表格； 表列结果； 列表； 造表

参考例句：

• A tabulation of a function of two variables is cumbersome, but possible. 二元函数的列表法是不方便的，然而是可能的。
• Such a tabulation cannot represent adequately the complex gradation relationships between the types. 这样的图表不能充分代表各类型之间的复杂级配关系。

9 collated   

v.校对( collate的过去式和过去分词 )；整理；核对；整理（文件或书等）

参考例句：

• When both versions of the story were collated,major discrepancies were found. 在将这个故事的两个版本对照后，找出了主要的不符之处。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Information was collated from several data centers around the country. 信息从城市四周的几个数据中心得到校对。 来自互联网

10 hampered   

妨碍，束缚，限制( hamper的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The search was hampered by appalling weather conditions. 恶劣的天气妨碍了搜寻工作。
• So thought every harassed, hampered, respectable boy in St. Petersburg. 圣彼德堡镇的那些受折磨、受拘束的体面孩子们个个都是这么想的。

11 registration   

n.登记，注册，挂号

参考例句：

• Marriage without registration is not recognized by law.法律不承认未登记的婚姻。
• What's your registration number?你挂的是几号？