Prime Minister to release population figures

It was made known in Parliament on Tuesday that the prime minister will release the country's population figure by mid this year (Image: National Parliament)

Official population figures will be made known by Prime Minister James Marape between now and mid this year, when field evaluations are completed, or double checks on head counts are done.

Administrative Services Minister Richard Masere told Parliament, this is as per a ministerial decision to not release any further information on the official numbers.

Mr Masere added that past incidences have seen various figures released, bringing into question the integrity of the population count.

Administrative Services Minister Richard Masere updating on the progress of the Census in Parliament on Tuesday (Image: National Parliament)

Minister Masere boasted of delivering a population census "in record time and with record budget."

He made comparisons with previous censuses that cost more than this census budget of K153 million, and within 6 months, unlike in the past where it took years and more money.

Among some of the many challenges Mr Masere highlighted were the very late release of funds for this exercise, fuel, weather and logistics and the burning down of the Post PNG warehouse on January 10, which saw census materials worth 15-million-kina destroyed.

The Administrative Services Minister was responding to a series of questions from Southern Highlands Provincial MP William Powi on the general progress of the census, costs involved and target dates for release of the population figures.