Tammur stresses on ICT’s strategic role

National, Normal
Source:

The National – Thursday, December 9, 2010

By EVAH KUAMIN
THE government has recognised the vital role of information communication technology (ICT) in nation building.
Communication and Information Minister Patrick Tammur said this yesterday in Kokopo during the welcome reception of the joint commission and information communication technology (JC-ICT) conference.
Tammur, who is Kokopo MP, said because of the ongoing support from the government, his department had taken steps to ensure key projects were completed and effectively implemented.
He said the conference followed the recent signing of a new memorandum of understanding between Malaysia and PNG on ICT at the conference held in Sabah, Malaysia.
Tammur said his department had pursued three key initiatives in line with the government’s support for ICT services, which included the government’s integrated system project, rural communication and the full operational system of the National Information Communication Technology Authority (Nicta), the sole ICT regulator.
He added that his department would continue to pursue those key initiatives but also needed the assistance of key stakeholders like the National Broadcasting Corporation and Telikom PNG.
Tammur stressed the strategic importance of ICT deliberations of bilateral ties between PNG and Malaysia.
Malaysian head of delegation Dr Khatijah Mohd Yusoff said their trip to Kokopo had been distant but enticing.
She said East New Britain had a great atmosphere and provided the ideal environment for important issues to be discussed.
Khatijah said the issues to be discussed were important and would create a threshold of making a difference.
She said issues in ICT such as e-government and e-broadcasting would be discussed but it was the participants who would give substance and collaboration to the meeting.
Khatijah said a lot of money had been spent on getting realistic outcomes and everyone should be serious about issues to be discussed.
“Allow us to break the ice and interact with each other for tangible talks,” she added.