New state entity needs real support

 I THANK DataCo Managing Director Paul Komboi for responding to my previous article where I pointed out one of the O’Neill Government’s milestone achievements was the creation of the state-owned business entity. 

Komboi’s confirmation that DataCo is linking the country by fibre optic to provide high speed broadband services reflects the Government vision. 

When the “missing link” is completed, one of the country’s core infrastructures for the National Transmission Network (NTN) project, which DataCo owns, will be completed. 

O’Neill and his Government continue to demonstrate the kind of leadership that is now transforming Papua New Guinea like never before. 

However DataCo is also struggling to attain its full capacity, thanks to Telikom PNG Ltd. 

My research reveals that Telikom management is continuously misleading the Government on the transfer of critical state assets that would otherwise empower DataCo to deliver development objectives despite the necessary legislations to effect the transfer. 

The assets in question are the PPC-1 submarine cable, APNG2 submarine cable, Gerehu Satellite Earth Station and Tiare Internet Gateway which by legislation are supposed to be transferred from Telikom to DataCo upon its creation by the government in its effort to better manage and promote efficient and cheaper broadband communications in PNG. 

Since NEC passed legislation to have the assets from Telikom transferred to DataCo, nothing have eventuated leaving DataCo’s corporate efforts frustrated and denying Papua New Guineans the right to access affordable and reliable high speed internet access in time. 

Now with PPC-1 down, I wonder what the Telikom management is telling new Public Enterprises and State Investment Minister William Duma and the Prime Minister. 

It is reported that PPC-1 cable will be out until March and probably beyond but with disturbing reports that the repair will take more than a month and the repair vessel won’t be available in time, how misguided was the Government to allow the assets transfer prolonged by Telikom? 

O’Neill must seriously look into empowering DataCo and have the assets transfers executed immediately. 

PNG Power’s participation with DataCo where it is allowing its transmission lines to host fibre optic is a remarkable achievement that shows how SOEs should be working together to deliver government policies that will translate to timely development for the people. 

DataCo under the leadership of one of the country’s youngest and brightest minds is doing very well and needs the necessary government support to deliver its corporate objectives effectively.

I have previously pointed out O’Neill’s achievement which saw the creation of DataCo to deliver the vision of building the NTN and connect the country. 

As DataCo managing director rightly said, the Southern end of this fibre optic link runs from Port Moresby to Hides and the Northern end runs from Lae and Madang to Mendi. 

Once the missing Link that will connect Hides and  Mendi  is completed, the fibre optic cable will run across the new Western Pacific University in Ialibu.  

DataCo needs the assets transfer to consolidate its financial position and effectively discharge its corporate objectives. 

Unfortunately, the NEC decision on asset transfer has been downplayed by the Telikom board and management to the detriment of DataCo in meeting its corporate obligations. 

With PPC-1 down, the Government has no choice but to directly intervene and get the implementation fast tracked for DataCo to focus on its core business. 

Telikom’s stubbornness in complying with the NEC decision pertaining to asset transfer reflects a break down in the government system and calls for the immediate attention of the Prime Minister and Chief Secretary. 

Samson Wena

Kerowagi, Chimbu