Basil told to make sure census project ‘is delivered’

OUTGOING National Planning and Monitoring Minister Richard Maru has advised his successor Sam Basil to see through the national census project which will cost around K200 million.
He told Basil when handing over the position on Friday that the process for the census had already started.
“You have to make sure it is launched. Make sure there is funding and we must deliver the census that is accurate and reliable and the data will be respected by everyone,” Maru said.
“A judgment on your success or failure as the new planning minister is whether you can deliver the census successfully. That will be one of the key performance indicators. I’ve got the submissions done. It’s up to you to make it happen.”
Maru, who is taking over as Finance Minister, said he would ensure funding for the census was available.
“Make sure that the biggest item in the development plan would be the census next year. We have to deliver the census,” he said.
Marus said the department would work with donor partners to provide counterpart funding for the census.
“One of your first challenges is to meet with donor partners and ask them to assist with the expertise and to co-fund the census,” he said.
On the national identification project, Maru said the process should be done quicker and on time. “We are still too slow because of the way it was designed,” he said.