A senior macro-economic policy advisor to the Department of Treasury was appointed by Cabinet last night as the new Chief Government Statistician.
Mr. John Igitoi has been acting on the role overseeing the recently completed national census which recorded 10.18 million people.
Alfred Mokae of Uma village in Kagua -Erave’s Aiya LLG holds a Masters Degree in Economics from the Australian National University.
After graduating from the University of PNG with bachelor’s degree in economics, he started his career as a graduate trainee Economist with the department in 2001.
He worked his way up through ranks and files to become the principal economist until he moved to the Department of National Planning and Monitoring where he was appointed Assistant Secretary, and later confirmed as the First Assistant Secretary for Macro Planning Division within the Department until his resignation to contest the Kague-Erave Open seat in the 2017 National General Election.
Mr Mokae re-contested the 2022 General Election. He was re-hired by the Treasury Department at an advisory role after the election.
Within the nine-year period (2017-2025), he was engaged in private consultancy work, Mr Mokae told PNG SUN.
This includes his four-year engagement as Strategic Advisor with the National Statistical Office (NSO).
At the time of his appointment, Mr. Mokae was serving the Treasury Department as a Macroeconomic Policy Advisor.