Weekly Niue News http://www.niuenews.nu/ [2004-09-11: list updated for new site] _______________________________________________ > We have 8 guests online > Figures Questioned: Opposition MP Terry Coe has challenged the > accuracy of the latest population figures released by Cabinet > who contend that Niue's population is 1766. > > The former Finance Minister said the Statistics Department did > not release the data - it was given to the Cabinet who > considered it for a few days then released " preliminary" > numbers. Deduct the 216 listed as being overseas and the > resident population is 1550. > > The Statistics Deartment should have released the figures as > an independent source of data collection and collating," said > Mr Coe who sticks by his previous population estimate of 1200. > He said he did not know what the Statistics Department figures > were and it was unlikely they would ever be released. Mr Coe > was also critical of the time it took to get the figures. > > The village head count was supposed to be on September 7 but > in fact it took much longer than that to get the information, > he added. The government assessed that the 216 people who are > off island for medical referral or education will return. > > "We know that is a fantasy and to be credible you can't count > people on the basis that they may return," said Mr Coe. > > So why would the government issue inflated figures? > > "It's all done to impress New Zealand and other international > donor agencies," said Mr Coe. He said the people of Niue had a > right to know the true figures which are also relevant to > Niueans living overseas. He said "guessing" did not assist the > economic and planning department when handling overseas > investment inquiries. "It gives a wrong impression of the > availability of human resources and is certainly contrary to > the policy of transparency and accountability," he said. > > Yesterday the Economic Development Minister Bill Vakaafi-Motu > Foou said reports that the the population figure was between a > 1,000 and 1,200 have meant the detractors are " way off line." > "There are a lot of accusations that people are leaving Niue > for one reason or another. We believe the population we have > at the moment will remain and some people, temporarily off > island, will return when things improve," said the Minister. > > On Friday Niue News will reveal how to spot check the accuracy > of the Cabinet population total. We'll be considering the > resident population only.It may surprise you. And if you > haven't participated in our most preferred Premier vote do so > now. Those results may also surprise you. > [date.gif] Thursday, 07 October 2004 > 4155 Visitors
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