Sam Basil

NICTA CEO, Charles Punaha, explained that sim users need to take into consideration the 30 day in-active period, when a card can be made in-active if there is no usage by the user.

He also warned that after 90 days the operators can recycle the number back into the system to be reissued to new sim cards.

Meantime, Communications Minister, Sam Basil has warned all operators to not charge users for registration of sim cards.

The Minister says that any operator found to be charging users will be dealt with by NICTA and the ICCC.

This final 3-month extension is to give time to subscribers in the rural areas to register their SIM cards.

The National Information & Communications Technology Authority (NICTA), in a meeting with the 3 mobile network operators, discovered that bmobile-vodafone registered 62 percent of subscribers, Telikom PNG registered 74 percent of its users and Digicel PNG managed 42 percent.

Statistically, this means 1.5 million subscribers are yet to register.

Speaking at the close of the 31st synod of Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG in Sinesine-Yongomugl district’s Mogl village of Simbu Province, Sam Basil noted the importance of the government-church partnership in delivering much-needed services to the people.

Basil, a member for the church, has cautioned the church to be mindful of sorcery, brushing aside claims of its existence.

 “We must not acknowledge its existence. The courts find it hard to establish it as it is to do with spiritualism.

Minister Abel has been in consultation with the Minister responsible for Communications, Information Technology and Energy, Sam Basil who has received advice from NICTA on the registration deadline extension.

“Minister Basil and I have considered the issues surrounding the SIM Card Registration Regulation, and I am fully aware of the implications of registration deadline,” the Acting Prime Minister said.

“The extension to 23 January 2018 will minimise the potential for disruptions to phone users while ensuring network security is enhanced.

He said the deadline is set for this Sunday, December 31^st, 2017.

Basil said ample time had been given to users to register and operators to facilitate the registration process.

The Minster said there will be no exception, adding on a personal note that he himself had registered his Sim card.

Sim card registration is a mandatory process, made effective as of July 23, 2016 under the SIM Card Registration Regulation 2016 (Statutory Instrument No.7 of 2016) as published in National Gazette No. G228 dated April 22, 2016.

Pangu Pati’s Leader Sam Basil and Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu have been commended for organising an interactive dialogue on deep sea tailings disposal: The Basamuk Experience & Implications for Huon Gulf.

Speakers at the session were from Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture led by the company’s head of external affairs, David Wissink, Dr Grant Batterham and David Gwyther, who presented preliminary research findings arguing the safety of submarine disposal of tailings.

He said he intended to re-introduce shortwave and medium wave frequencies to improve radio access in remote rural areas as in the early 1980s.

Basil, who took over from Talasea MP, Francis Maneke, said a review of NBC funding, revenue generation and financial management, to see that cash flow and its implications on wages, will be done in the near future.

He further reiterated that he will be looking at responsible, affordable and accessible communications in radio, television and internet including concerted efforts to address cybercrime.

This follows today’s realignment in ministerial portfolio allocations by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

The changes in portfolios will strengthen the National Government’s focus on key growth sectors that will have a direct impact on business development and community advancement.

"Minister Basil will be responsible for the energy and communications sectors that are crucial for growing a modern economy,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.

He said politicians legislate and empower law enforcement agencies while the law enforcers’ duty must be to enforce the law without fear or favour.

“We must not have institutional and professional identity crisis in our respective roles. Politicians must deal with politics in the political arena.

“I have already said that Pangu Pati will support the Independent Commission Against Corruption bill, which has been outstanding for a long time – and we will support bills that will empower rather than disempower law enforcement agencies.

Opposition Leader, Patrick Pruaitch in a statement said Basil’s decision surprised leaders within the Alliance although the public received early warning through media reports that a crossover was about to happen.

“A formal announcement was delayed allowing for negotiations on the ‘30 pieces of silver’ needed to entice 12 Pangu Pati members across to Government, rather than the initial nine or 10 MPs,” he said.

Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, currently has 73 MPs in the ruling coalition, giving him the ability to dominate Parliament and to bulldoze through any legislation.