About 30,000 to be employed during censusK151 million for National Census

By Lynette Kil
 
TO achieve its goal, the government plans to involve over 25,000 to 30,000 citizens in the data collection process during the Census, with a budget allocation of K151 million, as announced by Prime Minister James Marape.
He made this remark during the launching of the National census recently in Port Moresby.
 
“The Census will commence on June 16th  and will end in the same month (two weeks),and to achieve this, all public servants, NGOs, students, drop outs and those unemployed youths from colleges and universities will take part in this census.
 
“I want all the youths to mobilise and go to your respective districts and provinces as you will be considered as enumerator of the National Statistic Office.
 
“The government wants to achieve quality and accurate data with least cost in a short time and we will engage over 25,000 to 30,000 citizens to take part with a budget roll out of K151 million.”
 
Marape said K60 million has been released this year and another K30 million was released last year for the K50 million earmarked,” Marape said.
 
He highlighted that since the first census in 1966, data, dynamics, characteristics, and composition of population have all changed and a proper census needed to be done.
 
He clarified that the delay for the 2021 census was due to the COVID-19 and other various factors.
 
“A prosperous inclusive Papua New Guinea will only happen when the government and decision makers at all levels know exactly how many people we are dealing with and it is important to get it done,” PM Marape said.
 
He said all citizens including those foreigners living in the country, especially businessmen and women, tourists passing through, those working in public sector, NGOs, and private sector.
 
Marape challenged NSO and Minister for Administrative Services Richard Masere to ensure he has leadership hands on the conduct of the national census.
 
“I want to use this census and make it less costly but the most effective census that our country has ever delivered,” he said.
 “Some of you may say it’s late, it’s short time, but with the cost effective and high-quality strategy we can achieve the completion of the national statistics we want for our country.
 
“I want to encourage the NSO office, government chief secretary and secretary to issue a circular instruction out to every public servant in the country including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville who are already paid, there is no one to ask for an allowance.”
 
He said following the census the local level government elections will be conducted adding that data is also important for elections to ensure there is a free fair election, one person one vote.