Data collection has become a very expensive exercise for the national government.
The National Statistical Office says close to Two Hundred Million Kina will be spent onthe next census ifthe Electronic Identification Card system or E-ID is not implemented well.
It has embarked on a nationwide awareness program to ensurethe project is well understood bythe all citizens.
New Ireland Province has a population of 161, 000 people.
The provincial government’says it has a number of policies but information on population to make this policies work is missing.
They have welcomedthe Electronic Identification Card system or E-ID saying it will enhancethe current data available inthe province.
The province isthe 16th province to be visited bythe E-ID Project team.
Deputy Director ofthe E-ID Project Be Douna says provincial governments must work in partnership withthem to ensurethe system is successfully implemented.
He saysthe National Government has allocated Thirty Million Kina for the project which will be rolled out in April next year.
The concept is all about improving government efficiency to plan for the people. This will also cut down onthe cost in collecting data which is very expensive.
The National Government has appointedthe National Statistical Office to carry out this project in partnership with Huawei Technologies.
