Reactivate SIM cards

THE deactivation of SIM cards as reported in the media on Feb 3, is a wild kick in the dust.
About 10 million SIM cards is a lot to be destroyed in a short period in a small nation like PNG.
The decision is absurd.
It is not our fault we have mobile phones and SIM cards.
This is an introduced system of communication suitable to our environment.
Our old and illiterate people have yet to adjust to the culture shock in a newly introduced system, not by one, but several telecommunication companies. We are still adjusting to the systems and services provided by suppliers in this technological world. The new online university selection, the online classes offered by some training institutions and PNG Power’s user pay system are a few of the newly introduced systems every individual across PNG have yet to get familiar with.
It is in the best interest of the population that opinions from the streets of Port Moresby and a few urban centres do not represent the views of people in Kaintiba, Karamuis, Ningerum, Olsobip, atolls and remote villages.
I have a bmobile SIM card that has been registered more than five times.
Yet, bmobile customer service told me that my SIM card was not registered every time I tried to enter units for Easypay.
Despite deadlines set by the authorities, one can only imagine how many Papua New Guineans read the article on policies and directions.
Our people need more time to be exposed to the same issue in order to have that subject registered in their mind, especially new and documented decisions and government policies.
The authority has no right to act on an issue just because a publicity has been given.
This is not the United States where 100 per cent of the population has access to first and second hand information, whether by radio, newspaper or television.
Our people’s priorities are certainly not in reading articles.
You have to do things gradually over time, it can be annoying at times but the authority has an obligation to always weigh situations with relevancy and exert tolerance.
Our people have a lot of catching up to do compared to other populations around the world who have had more than 300 years of exposure.
Please, reconsider deactivating all SIM cards.

Gerard Saleu