The National Census exercise is progressing well in Pomio District of East New Britain province, with some Local Level Governments (LLGs) nearing completion after the first week. Pomio District Team Leader, Richard Lotopasa, said that there are a total of six supervisors from the ENB Provincial Administration (ENBPA) on ground to monitor the rollout of the two weeklong exercise in the seven LLGs and there are over 13, 000 households in the district, being covered by more than 200 enumerators. Apart from the six supervisors from the Provincial headquarter, Lotopasa said that there is also a representative from the National Statistical Office (NSO) on ground who is currently assisting the LLG Census Coordinators. “This is to ensure data enumeration is completed within the two-week time frame scheduled for the National Census program for this year, 2024.” He added that all LLG trainings have been completed and that all the LLGs in the district have completed the tier 3 training. As per the enumeration program per LLG, Lotopasa confirmed that all the LLGs have started the enumeration exercise. “Mamusi Yana LLG commenced the enumeration on the 18th of June, East Pomioand Sinivit LLGs on the 19th, West Pomio LLG on the 22nd, while Melkoi, Central Pomio and Inland Pomio LLGs commenced on the 24th of June.” In terms of their progress, East Pomio LLG has completed the enumeration exercise and is into Quality Checks, whilst Mamusi Yana LLG is 95 percent complete with the Oil Palm Estates to be covered this week. Melkoi, Central Pomio and Inland Pomio LLGs commenced their enumeration program as of yesterday, 24th of June and have all assured that they can complete the enumeration exercise within this one-week period. In addition to this, the enumeration exercise in Sinivit LLG is about 50 percent complete but the LLG team expects to complete the program before Friday the 28th of June. Meanwhile West Pomio LLG is 90 per cent complete, with a few Census Units, including the Oil Palm Estates to be enumerated in which should be done this Friday, June 28th before progressing into doing quality checks. Lotopasa further said that they have had some issues that has affected the rollout of the census program, especially with the bad weather. “We have been experiencing rainy season for the last 2 weeks. Otherwise, the weather is improving and we should still meet the deadline to complete the enumeration program.” He also advised that the NSO Rep will conduct a one day ‘Hands on Practice’ on Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) application with the Ward Development Officers and LLG Managers after the enumeration program. Furthermore, the training will be held before all the data collected are transferred into tablets, which are expected to arrive in the district by this week. Meanwhile, ENB Provincial Census Coordinator, Gideon Towaii confirmed that data entry into tablets are yet to be done in the province, as data collection is being done manually.