Firm spends more than K6mil on programme

By JACINTA COHLEE
PNG DataCo Limited spent more than K6 million last year under its community service obligation (CSO) programme, of which 80 per cent of the funding was to the education sector alone, says an official.
Chief executive officer Paul Komboi said PNG DataCo spent K6 million last year, and every year it grows by at least K2 million, so this year they are looking at K8 million in their budget, which they will spread their services around the country as far as they go.
The DataCo’s CSO programme focused on health, education and law and order sectors connecting the country to the digital world.
“We have supported about 30-40 schools already, including universities,” Komboi said.
“We started with universities and coming down to secondary schools, and now we are also going down to primary schools.”
PNG DataCo has connected almost all the secondary schools, including the schools of excellence in Port Moresby already, and now it has ventured out to other centres, including Lae. “The University of Goroka’s open campus in Maprik is the only institution we have not reached yet,” he said.
“We provide services to rural schools as well, as long as they request our service and that depends on their requirements.”
Komboi said PNG DataCo has reached the 67 districts and 21 provinces of PNG.