Minister
for National Planning Hon Samuel H Basil MP said on Tuesday 21st
January 2020 that no efforts will be spared in ensuring the 2020 National
Census is delivered successfully.
“I have
directed the National Statistical Office (NSO) – drivers of the 2020 National
Census – to prepare an NEC Submission to update Ministers on preparations thus
far, and scheduled work plan to deliver the census, and what is needed, in
turns of inter-government collaboration and engagement of development partners,
to ensure that happens,†Minister Basil said.
“I have
also written to the Treasurer requesting frontloading of the NSO 2020 Census
funding as well.
All of us
need to understand and appreciate that the 2020 National Census is a key
deliverable of the Marape-Steven Government. Its outcome will tail us for ten
years. More importantly, given questions about the credibility of the 2011
National Census, the 2020 National Census will form the new baseline in
population and household census for the next ten years. We all have to work
hard – to spare no effort - to ensure it is delivered on-time and its quality
and integrity is assured,†the Minister said.
Mr Basil
said this following at a two-day 2020 Way Ahead meetings with Department of
National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM), National Statistical Office (NSO) –
drivers of the 2020 National Census (the census), and the PNG Civil &
Identity Registry / National Identification (NID) Project which ended yesterday
(Jan 22).
The 2020
Way Ahead meeting was held to start the New Year with a better appreciation of
the roles, responsibilities and challenges of the three Government entities
under the Planning Ministry.
Presentations
were made by various sectors in DNPM including social, infrastructure,
administration, economic, law and order, and Capital Investment Budget followed
by presentations from NSO on their roles and responsibilities as well as update
on the 2020 National Census on Monday. The PNG CIR / NID
Project
concluded the day with presentations on the NID Project rollout.