The 2024 national census in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville has been postponed by a week due to the late arrival of census materials in Buka. Papua New Guinea’s national census faced delays, with incomplete enumerator training and issues with distributing electronic tablets. Despite these setbacks, counting is expected to progress soon, according to national statistician John Igitoi. Bougainville’s provincial census coordinator, Michael Omepa, confirmed that training for census officials is now underway. The enumeration process is set to begin next week after materials are distributed.
Prime Minister James Marape reaffirmed the government’s financial commitment to the census, which initially had a budget of K300 million, later reduced to K157 million.
Source: RNZ Pacific, National Broadcasting Corporation PNG
