Call for ownership of infrastructure

By DALE LUMA
CITIZENS should be able to have shares in technological infrastructure in the country, Department of Communication, Information Technology and Energy Secretary John Avira says.
He said the government should make some changes to its policies to allow that.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the second Papua New Guinea Digital Economic Forum at the Stanley Hotel last week, Avira said: “There should be some legislations that make it mandatory so that the private citizens and companies own the towers and a partnership is created to have technological inclusion.
“It is very fundamental that you include the people who own the land.
“Technological expansion is unique in Papua New Guinea so policies need to be created so that landowners will become partners in owning these properties such as telecommunication towers.”
Avira said land was very important in Papua New Guinea and locals needed to be consulted and informed when trying to roll out digital and telecommunication infrastructures.
Awareness should also be carried out to the people because they cannot be connected if the infrastructures are not put in place, he said.
“We have challenges in issues around land where network and service providers go to a sight and have problems,” he said.
“We need to educate our people that we need to be partners in delivering these services.
“This will also address some of the problems of vandalisation of properties in the country.”
Avira said his department had a road map in place to address Information Communication Technology.
The director of Economics, Consumer and Internal Affairs of Information and Communications Technology Authority, Kila Vui, said that advancing and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship could be achieved through local participation.
“There is an opportunity to create this culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in ICT and technological advancement here in PNG,” he said.
“This is the land of opportunities and opportunities can be achieved through creating the right conditions and the government should look at funding initiatives.”