National statistician adamant to conduct national population census amidst financial crisis

National Statistician John Igitoi is confident the 2024 National Population Census will go ahead as scheduled despite funding setbacks.

Mr Igitoi said the national government will supply funding for the census exercise starting on June 17, regardless of the many challenges posed.

He said that the National Statistics Office [NSO] has a plan to deliver the vital project in spite of scarce finance.

“The funding is one of the challenges that any other government has had, not only for the census project but many other projects around the country,” Mr Igitoi said.

“We need to come up with cost effective ways as we know that resources are always limited.”

According to Mr Igitoi an additional K123m is needed to run the nationwide population data collection project.

Prime Minister James Marape made a commitment to meet the funding gap during the launch last month.

He said the Government, state agencies, stakeholders and project partners would work together to make the funding available.

But the money is not yet available to cover logistics and other costs for the census.  

The national statistician encouraged the public to be positive about the process.

“I want you to cooperate and be responsive,” he urged the public.

“Understand the purpose of the census so that you are able to assist and deliver this census.

“Whether there is cost or no cost, we’ve done a lot of things. Let’s take it upon ourselves and do it.”

It’s been 13 years since the last census in 2011 when the population recorded was 7.8 million. The initial census exercise was planned for 2021 but was deferred twice due to the global pandemic (CoronaVirus).

The fifth national census this year will emerge a new population figure from 2011.