The Minister for Administrative Affair has stated that he expects the 2024 National Census to fully wrap by the end of September 2024, stating also that the census has not failed. The Minister said this during question time in parliament this morning when responding to questions by the MP for Pomio Elias Kapavoe, on its status when referring to the Census being prolonged and affecting the Local Level Government (LLG) Elections, now further deferring it to 2025. Minister Richard Masere said despite delays to its commencement, it has progressed well in over two months with 6 LLGs in tier three training, 31 LLGs undergoing enumeration, 172 LLGs synchronizing data and quality checks and 146 LLGs almost completing synchronizing and awaiting final numbers. That's out of the total of 355 LLGs in Papua New Guinea. The Minister added that the only region that fully completed the Census is the New Guinea Islands region. “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the New Guinea Island because they worked tirelessly to complete theirs,” said the minister. “Manus completed their census, New Ireland have completed their census, East New Britain have completed their census, West New Britain and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville have completed their census.” Minister Masere also said that the Central province has also completed their census. “I’d like to congratulate those provinces simply because there is leadership on ground.” He clarified that due to the remoteness of most parts of the country, logistical issues have also brought about the delay, but he is looking to complete the National Census by end of this month. The minster also said he will soon present a full report on the 2024 National Census on the floor of parliament.