Lands Dept trials digital self-service kiosk

By REBECCA KUKU
THE Lands Department is piloting a new digital self-service kiosk system that will improve land management services and fees payment processes across the country.
Acting Prime Minister and Lands Minister John Rosso said the digital kiosk would minimise on longer queues for people intending to access land services or to pay fees.
He said the concept was being trialed in Port Moresby and “is aimed at improving efficiency and assist with revenue collection”.
It would then be rolled out to other centres throughout the country.
“It is an inclusive system, meaning anyone can access it, from individuals to corporate clients at anytime and anywhere,” Rosso said.
“And you can make payments with your bank cards from any bank, both locally and internationally.
“This will also ensure all transactions are done transparently and, most importantly, there will be an electronic record of every transaction and land titles.”
Rosso said since he became lands minister three years ago, the department had collected more revenue than in the past.
“Four years ago, revenue collection was done manually; cash over the counter and the department only made K9 million annually.
“Today, since we started doing things electronically, the department’s revenue collection had catapulted to about K40 million.
“Our aim for 2024 is K100 million,” he said.
“Standing in long queues should be a thing of the past. I am tired of seeing people standing in long queues to access services.
“And I hear, I listen, the government listens to your cries about having to stand in long queues.
“We are trying our best to address this, to improve efficiency and, at the same time, improve on revenue collection so that we can contribute meaningfully to the country’s consolidated funds which will then go back into providing basic services to our people.”
The 32-inch touch-screen digital self-service kiosks were designed and manufactured locally by NiuPay in partnership with Kina Bank in an “out-of-the-box” partnership aimed at improving efficiency in accessing government services.
Rosso said the initiative had cost the government nothing.
“NiuPay and Kina Bank will roll out the self-service kiosks and, of course, nothing is free,” he said.
“They will make their money from the transaction fees.
“As is normal, there is a small fee charged by banks as transaction fees, which the bank will share with NiuPay.
“In fact, it’s a kind of an out-of-the-box partnership at zero cost to the government and the people.”
Meanwhile, self-service kiosks were also being used by other government departments and agencies including the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority and Internal Revenue Commission.