MINISTER BASIL SET TO INTRODUCE ICT TASKFORCE TO ADDRESS GOVERNANCE
FRAGMENTATION IN ICT SECTOR
Minister for Communications, Information Technology and Energy- Honorable
Sam Basil announced last night that he would sponsor a Cabinet
submission for the establishment of the ICT Taskforce in the country.
 |
| Minister Basil cutting ribbon to mark the launch of PNG Digital Commerce Association in Port Moresby's Stanley Hotel last night (Tuesday, March 06, 2018) whilst the governor of Bank of PNG, Loi Bakani and president Ezikiel Taureka (far left) and general-secretary Rabbie Namaliu Jnr (far right) look on. |
Mr Basil said
this was in line with the theme of the Leaders’ Summit-Accelerating
Implementation Through Team Work, adding the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has
reaffirmed the need for harmonizing teamwork by all stakeholders generally.
“When I took office as Minister responsible
for ICT Sector, I realized that governance over this vital Sector was
fragmented. Different ICT initiatives and components were housed – and
administered – in different government departments and agencies. This fragmentation
may have been designed – but I am inclined to think it happened by default – by
a fast-changing ICT Sector,” he said.
Making the announcement at the launch of PNG Digital Commerce
Association in Port Moresby’s Stanley Hotel, Mr Basil said it was aimed at
addressing fragmentation of governance in the sector and setting the governance
and regulatory framework for ICT now and into the future.
“In our APEC Year the theme is “Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities,
Embracing the Digital Future”. It is symbolic
that we launch the PNG Digital Commerce Association in the same year, as it
highlights our determination to join the digital age.
“Ready or not,
PNG has been launched into the digital future that is not only be
transformational but will also be a multi-generational platform for the
development of our country,” he told SME owners, APEC delegates and
stakeholders in the ICT sector.
He said his fellow Minister for Planning and Monitoring, honourable
Richard Maru had agreed to ensure the ICT Taskforce was set up to become a key
national body that professionally and technically addresses, advises and
clears all ICT matters, including cyber-security in a holistic government
approach.
In the lead up to 2020 National Census and Biometric Voting in 2022, Minister
Basil added that it should provide visionary and strategic advice on the
way forward for post-APEC, saying it should also unify and harmonise ICT
initiatives in the country.
“We have yet
to see the opportunities to be offered by Over-The-Top-Content
providers and one that I have a deep interest in is access to quality on-line
education platforms at all levels: from early learning, primary and tertiary to
re-skilling of our work force and life-long learning.
“It is very
important – and we must ensure – that no one gets left behind,” he said.
He further said the taskforce, when established, would become the
clearing and forum house for consultations, collaborations and cooperation on
all ICT matters.
“Whilst we
must all be excited about the digital economy and its endless possibilities to
improve our livelihood, we must be mindful that the digital economy does have a
‘dark side’ and we must protect our people from this aspect. There are always
bad actors who will seek to exploit our people and we must ensure that we have
the regulations in place to protect them.
“The challenges for PNG to embrace the rapidly-changing digital economy are vast – our advantage is that we can be agile and move fast. If we are ambitious, with your help – we can transform PNG,” he said.
According to Mr Basil, the second initiative is for the ICT sector to
come out annually with a ‘Big Bang’ on May 17-the World Telecommunication and
Information Society Day declared by the United Nations and International Telecommunication
Union.
He has challenged the stakeholders to raise the profile of ICT, if they
wanted to be seen and heard.
“We are
already seeing our young people actively engaged in developing apps, researching
crypto currency, exploring the world of block chain and how it can be developed
sensibly in PNG.
We must
encourage them to create sustainable businesses and jobs for our digital
future.
“Importantly,
we have our financial sector being led by our banking institutions bringing the
latest technology to our people through the upgrading of their core banking
systems,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr
Basil said he would introduce a legislative and regulatory framework, seeking the Cabinet’s approval for
bitcoin in the country.
