Media role vital to relay data on e-ID

 THE media will play a vital role in the dissemination of information on the Electronic Identification (e-ID) project, says project coordinator Roko Koloma.

He told the first meeting of the publicity sub-committee in Port Moresby that its role was to conduct awareness so that people in PNG understand the importance of the national e-ID system.

Koloma presented an overview of the project, the terms of reference and a plan for the publicity sub-committee.  

National statistician Joseph Aka said it was an important project because its most significant development was the relationship between information technology, the law and policy for PNG.

He said the main objectives were that everyone must have an universal method of identification to establish a central database, and to link and access the data base as per the requirement.

“Privacy international 1996 provided that everyone must be issued a form of ID by the respective governments and the national Constitution of PNG provided for rights and freedom of information,” he said.

“Agenda 71 under the Alotau Accord required the NSO to restructure to ensure that it has the capacity to collect and translate data into information at all levels and provisions of the organic law on provincial and LLG under section 106 provided for NSO to extend its role to cover districts and provinces.”

He said based on that, the e-ID project would establish 111 data collection points in 89 districts and 22 provinces.

The NSO is restructuring to cater for that and ensure continuity and sustainability of these centres.  

The publicity sub-committee is made up of members of the media (print and electronic), telecommunication companies and church organisations.

, with National Broadcasting Corporation managing director Memafu Kapera as the chairman.