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Business |
Mayberry blasts Government,
Telikom
A BUSINESS leader has criticised the
Government for doing nothing to improve the services of the
State-owned Telikom PNG.
Michael Mayberry, president of the PNG Chamber of Commerce (PNGCCI),
said the Government appeared not to care about the private
sector and citizens which continued to put up with the poor, but
costly services of Telikom.
Mr Mayberry said the PNGCCI had been patient in letting the
problems of Telikom be resolved in a sensible manner but noted
that “very little effort was being taken to take note of
customers’ interest”.
“The national information and communication technology (ICT)
policy in our opinion had not progressed and unless it can
substantially address community needs, then it should not be
pursued,” Mr Mayberry said.
He questioned as to how long the country would have to put up
with second- rate State-owned enterprise (Telikom) and when the
Government would deal in a firm and fair way those individuals
or organisations that steal and destroy State-owned assets.
Mr Mayberry had advised that if the Government wanted support,
it had to spell out what it was going to do and when.
He said to strip the Independent Consumer and Competition
Commission (ICCC) of its licensing power and to revoke open
competition being offered by Digicel PNG were not a good sign.
He said: “Another serious concern is that the action being taken
was not a good sign for intending investors as we try and
improve employment and the involvement of the bulk of the
community in the economy.”
“We need to improve our social indicators … and we have to make
the bulk of the community feel they are involved. Now is the
time for action …”
Mr Mayberry said Telikom had had five years to prepare for
competition but due to apparent ineffective board direction to
management, “very little was done in the first four and a half
years”.
“If this cannot be done, then the Government should leave the
supply of services to others,” he said.
 
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