National census to begin in 2020

By JOE GURINA

THE country’s fifth national census is fixed for July next year (2020), according to National Planning Minister Richard Maru.

In his parliamentary statement delivered for the Census 2020 preparation on the floor of parliament last week, Maru said it was important that the government needs to have collective figures with current population and housing statistics to enable the government to make informed decisions and formulate and implement key development policies.   

“Our last census reported 7.1 million as the total population of the country, but the population is constantly changing overtime. The Census 2020 is the avenue to help us establish concrete statistics for the country’s population moving forward for the next 10 years,’’ he said.

He said the census 2020 will be the basis to which “we will formulate and implement our development polices and priorities.’’

“Our development partners, the private sector and other key stakeholders will also rely on these statistics to support the country’s development aspirations,’’ he said.

He said in the last 10 years, a lot has changed in the social, economic and demographic landscape of our country.

“And our country cannot rely on statistics from the past census but must be on par with current population and housing statistics to enable the government to make informed decisions.”

He said planning and distribution of service delivery in the last ten years have been challenging because of changing social, economic and demographic factors.

“Census taking is not easy task but it is worth undertaking for effective planning and equitable distribution of essential services to every Papua New Guinean. Our responsibility from both sides of the house is to provide the utmost support to ensure that the Census 2020 is a success.’’

He said the National Statistical Office under his Ministry will undertake the Census 2020 operations which will involve a whole of government approach.

“This includes setting up of the National Census Steering Committee and various sub-committees comprising of key and relevant departments, line agencies, development partners and private sectors.’’

He said similar approach will be applied at the provincial level to oversee and have provinces, districts, LLGs, wards, villages and every citizen taking ownership of this process.

Maru said by the first quarter of 2022, the Census reports will be published and evaluation of the census operations will be conducted with the final report produced. 

He said the projected implementation cost for Census 2020 stands at K200 million which will be expanded from 2019-2022 to sufficiently cover all operational costs under the project.

He said this funding requires the support of this Government including key development partners.

Prime Minister James Marape will officially launch the 2022 National Population and Housing Census on July 13, 2019.