‘Communication vital for peace’

COMMUNICATION has been identified as a vital tool in the peace process and restoration development in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
Director of National Coordination Office for Bougainville Affairs Ellison ToWollom said communication was very important in terms of awareness for the coming referendum and should be used effectively to inform people about the decisions being made.
He was speaking during a meeting for the joint technical team in Port Moresby.
ToWallom, who is also the chairman of the joint technical team, said two of the most important players on the communication scene in Bougainville were Telikom and the National Broadcasting Corporation and encouraged them to continue the good work.
He said communication would be a priority  during the first joint supervisory body meeting early next year.
John Avira, Telikom manager – government services, said for the past five years, Telikom had been developing communication networks in the region through the instalment of 35 network towers which catered for internet data services apart from telephone services.
Avira said the instalment project was supported by the New Zealand government and ABG and included outlying and remote isles like Mortlock, Catarets  and Tasman islands.
He said while the project was into its third year, it was yet to be completed but MoA arrangements of ownership had been planned where after a period of five years, the networks would be given over to the ABG to own.
Communication was noted as a high impact project in Bougainville.