Time to intervene and revamp NSO

THE National Statistics Office (NSO), a key government agency under the Ministry of National Planning and Monitoring, needs an urgent intervention from the prime minister and the National Executive Council.
There have been many negative reports against the office due to poor results.
The responsible minister’s negligence is another issue.
Prime Minister James Marape was recently asked to state the total population and explain why the census was deferred.
One of the reasons Marape provided was the impact of the Coronavirus (Covid-19), which was apparently not good enough and fuelled a backlash from Government ministers and MPs.
China has conducted its census successfully even in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Papua New Guinea’s censure project has failed and will have great consequences on the country’s ratings.
The recent release of details about the gross domestic product is unclear and is already raising questions about the reliability of data, which is a cornerstone for economists and investors.
International development partners will be hesitant to engage in such unpredictable economic and social environment, and a government that fails to take stock of its people.
A lot of foreign investors will leave the country; some notable big companies have left already.
The NSO should be a key player during the pandemic.
The pandemic is affecting individual, families and households.
Reports on the impact of the pandemic should be made available by the office.
Marape’s slogan of “Taking back PNG” will remain a mere rethoric unless something is done to change this important office.
The responsible minister does not seem to understand his role.
Every conduct of business by the Government should be about the wellbeing of the people.

No Hope