All public servants from Waigani all the way to the Ward level including school leavers are urged to join the National Census team become enumerators this 2024 National Census. This call was made by Prime Minister James Marape at the recent launching of the National Census 2024. PM Marape called on the National Census Chief Secretary and the Secretary for The Department of Prime Minister to issue circular instruction out to every public servant from Waigani all the way to the Ward level to take an active part in the 2024 National Census. “All Public servants, you are not to ask for any allowance to do this job from the 17th -31st of June, you are to be at work for the national head counts.” Marape said National Statistical Office (NSO) must use all the public servants for the count. He further recommended to the National Statistical Office also that all school leavers must also be taken on board, all Grade 12 leavers, or tertiary graduates or students who are either not continuing their studies or not employed to join the Census team as enumerators. “All grade 12 graduates in the country and all tertiary students doing nothing, report to your district administrators and provincial administrators where ever you are.” “Give your name, present yourself, you will be the enumerators used by the national statistics office.” National Statistical Office must make use these cluster of people doing nothing to come on board and help. Marape added also that those who make decisions at the national cabinet, provincial cabinet, and Districts, at LLGs and at the ward they all must be influence by population data and not by politics and personal interest. A prosperous and inclusive PNG will only happen when Government at all levels, when decision makers at all levels know exactly how many people we are dealing. Census does not only include the citizens, but also includes all human beings that live inside our country, he said. “Those who live in our country, those who come in as business men, women, tourist, you work in the NGOs, those in public service or in the private sector or anyone who is passing through you must be counted also on the days of the country’s National Census.” Marape stated that it is important that everyone participates in this count, because being counted will make it easier for those in key responsible methods of decision making to factor everyone into their consideration for development. PMJM also urged Minister for Administrative Services and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Constitutional Matters, Richard Masere and the NSO to make this National Census less costly but more effective census, stating that there is not any event greater in the country that this 2024 National Census. “This is because the National Planning, National Government, Provincial Government, District Development Authorities, Local Level Government and everyone need correct population data to make the right decision for everyone.”