BASIL TO DO ALL FOR 2020 NATIONAL CENSUS

January 16, 2020 - Minister for National Planning Hon Samuel H Basil MP said on Tuesday 21^st 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.