Census workers in South Fly and Delta Fly still awaiting payments from NSO

Numerous census enumerators, supervisors, and service providers from the South and Delta Fly districts are still waiting for their allowances, months after completing their assignments during last year's national census.

The affected personnel are now urging the National Statistical Office [NSO] and the Provincial Census Coordination Team to explain the delay and expedite the release of outstanding payments.

A spokesperson for the group, who requested anonymity, told NBC News that the government must take responsibility for settling the dues, especially as the data they collected is expected to inform the current Local-Level Government [LLG] elections.

“We walked long distances across difficult terrain in South Fly and Delta Fly to complete this national duty. It is unjust for the government to use our data without compensating us for the hard work and expenses involved,” the spokesperson said.

Responding to the concerns, Provincial Census Coordinator Goneang Yokwar acknowledged the delays and explained that the issue is not isolated to the province but is part of a nationwide delay in census payments.

He said he has remained in regular contact with the NSO and confirmed that the agency’s coordination and accounts teams are currently compiling invoices submitted by various provinces to reconcile paid and unpaid claims.

"Our paper work has all been presented last year, knowing we had budget to offset these however situation beyond our control which I also not really understand what and why this happened," he said.

He added that while he is unable to make further public comments at this stage, he and his colleagues are actively following up with the NSO.

In the meantime, Mr. Yokwar appealed to all unpaid enumerators, supervisors, and service providers to remain calm and patient as the payment process is addressed.