Wednesday 31 July 2024
Administrative Services Minister Hon. Richard Masere has assured the public the 2024 National Census is progressing well, despite adverse weather conditions and the logistical challenges posed by Papua New Guinea’s vast rural areas.
Speaking alongside Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, Minister Masere stated, “We have managed to cover most of Papua New Guinea by now.
The New Guinea Islands Region is 99 percent completed, and we’re just awaiting data from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville to wrap up.”
He emphasised that even remote and inaccessible areas like Kaintiba, Oksapmin, and Telefomin, which lack road access, have been reached with census materials, thanks to the involvement of helicopter companies.
Minister Masere also expressed confidence that the census would be completed by 24 August 2024, with all outstanding allowances to be paid promptly.
“All census funds are kept by the Department of Finance and are paid out on requests from provinces.
“We want to make sure that all enumerators are paid.”
He further reassured the nation of the government’s commitment to the successful completion of the census, including the full utilisation of the K150 million allocated for the exercise.
“We are very confident that we will complete the census on time, despite the many problems, which we have successfully overcome,” he stated.
Minister Masere also highlighted plans for a post-census assessment to verify the accuracy of the data collected.
“After the census, there will be a post-census assessment to ensure that all the data we collected can be verified, to ensure that all households were counted and so forth,” he said
“I am happy with the work done to date and the support given by Prime Minister Hon. James Marape.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Marape commended Minister Masere for his leadership in managing the census, acknowledging the slow start and various challenges faced.
He also urged census enumerators not to use the excuse of non-payment of allowances to delay their work.
“We want the census to be completed by August 24, 2024,” said the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Marape further noted that Minister Masere and his team from the National Census Office (NSO) are confident that by August 30, 2024, they should have an indication of the country’s population, which will then be presented to the Executive Government.
“The census is currently progressing well and within the allocated budget,” he assured.
“I thank all the young people engaged in the census and assure them that they will be engaged in such major projects in the future.
I encourage them to continue working until completion of the census and assure them that they will be paid their rightful allowances.”