NSO receives 8000 tablets for use in next month’s national census

Max Enterprise Ltd [Max Industrial] today handed 8,000 tablets to the National Statistical Office for next month's national census.

These tablets are the first batch of the total, 22,000 procured by NSO, the remaining 14,000 will arrive on the 27th of May-next Monday.

Max Enterprise Chief Executive Officer, Ashok Pandey says the tablets, other accessories and the freight cost from Hong Kong will cost K15 million.

Administrative Services Minister, Richard Masere says the census is crucial for the country and the tablets will greatly assist the recorders to enter data efficiently and within a stringent dateline.

He says the nationwide census will be carried out between 17th- 30th June and on the 31st August a report will be presented to parliament.

"After that the Prime Minister will announce to the nation the total number of people we have in the country,"Mr Masere said.

Meanwhile two weeks prior to the start date, the NSO will work closely with the provincial census coordinators to ensure proper training is given to the respective ward recorders, so they are well equipped to use the tablets.

Mr Igitoi says NSO staff in Port Moresby have undergone 10-days of training on how to use the essential applications installed in the tablets.

"I urge the people to take responsibility and work with the enumerator so we get this done immediately," he said.

The remaining 14,000 tablets on arrival in Port Moresby will be dispatched to the provinces.

"We will have two control centers to monitor the progress of the Census nationwide.