Department launches strategy to get rural people to understand issues

By PETER ESILA
A GOVERNMENT department has launched its communications strategy to make rural people more aware of social and development issues.
Minister for Youth, Religion and Community Development Soroi Eoe said during the launching in Port Moresby last Friday it was “really to do with our focus of going out to the rural communities”.
Between 80 and 90 per cent of the people lived in rural areas.
“How do we deliver (services) given its (PNG’s) difficult terrain?” Eoe asked.
“We don’t have connection to all communities.
“We do not have airports in many parts of Papua New Guinea. We do not have jetties. So what do we do?”
He said the motto of the department was: “Let’s not leave anybody behind”.
Eoe said: “Through the media you can reach out. If we reach the lounge of the family (home) to talk about what we are doing, at least we are achieving something.”
Department Secretary Anna Solomon said the strategy complemented the department’s 2018 annual operational plan which was launched two weeks ago.
“To get to every home, talk to every child, talk to youths, talk to the people living with disability, mothers, fathers, talk to our elderly population – how can we do that better? The strategy is the outcome of that challenge to the department,” she said.