Timothy Masiu

While discussions took place, Masiu highlighted that Papua New Guinea, being a developing country within the Pacific Region, needs much of the Learning from the African countries and how Africa has come together in an alliance to drive its Digital Agenda.

“PNG and the rest of the Pacific region need to work in a collaborative fashion to create Regional Agenda around these global issues. PNG is now embracing Digital transformation and Digital Skills are vital developments aspect of participation in building a resilient internet ecosystem in the region,” he stated.

In a media release this week, Minister for ICT and Member for South Bougainville, Timothy Masiu said this is based on the NEC decision No. 39/2021 which endorsed that all sovereign data be stored and processed in one secure platform environment. 
 
This decision is consistent with the industry best practices and the government’s cloud first approach for the secure and cost-effective digital delivery of government services. 
 
The Ministry has asked for declarations to be submitted by Friday 25th February at 4:06pm.

He made this statement during the ‘Safe Internet Day 2022’, where he announced the release of a ‘Parents Guide to being Cybersmart’ publication.

The guide provides parents advice on the importance of online safety.

The Minister said, “I want to remind parents that online safety starts from the home. Online safety is more about child upbringing and nurturing communication skills rather than technology itself.”

Minister Masiu has acted quickly to urge his ministerial colleagues to think outside the box and do more with less by tripling efforts to seek out trade and investment opportunities that secures transformational benefits for the country.

The Minister said he was invited by Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Ministry to support the work of the government and the PNG pavilion at the World Expo 2020 Dubai UAE.

Before taking a nine-person team from the Ministry and Department overseas, Minister Masiu said he shared the typical PNG hunting analogy in Tok Pisin with his team members.

He was impressed with the PNG delegation that had been scheduling his meetings with corporate and government leaders in the ICT business for the Ministry to pursue international partnership and strategic alliance relations to deliver the PNG government’s digital government program.

The committee comprises of the chairman and chief executive officer of the South Bougainville District Development Authority, Peter Kamai, district financial manager, Martin Taneko, justice, law and order representative, Chris Kena, community representative Conrad Kauma and a women’s representative yet to be appointed.  

The committee has jurisdiction to undertake procurements not exceeding K2.5 million for the District Development Authority.

Member for South Bougainville, Timothy Masiu, has confidence in the committee.

To bring government closer to the people through effective governance, improved service delivery and socio-economic growth so it can become a smart, interactive and well-informed society by promoting collaboration and participation including innovation and learning and an open, transparent and accountable government.

Masiu in a statement said as a Minister responsible for Information & Communication Technology, it is his core duty to continuously explore technology and harness its applications for the benefits of all people.

“I thank my acting Secretary Steven Matainaho and his team for this enabling policy framework for the ICT sector.

“This was my first ever official engagement since I took up the Ministry in November 2019 and I’m pleased the visit was to Australia as they are our closest neighbour and very important development partner,” he said.

“During this trip, I met with my Australian counterpart, Paul Fletcher, and the Minister for International Development, Alex Hawke, as well as the Head of the Office of the Pacific Office, Ewen McDonald, in Canberra on Wednesday (26/02/20).

In what is considered a milestone for PNG’s Department of Communications and Information Technology (Department of ICT), a Memorandum of Understanding was signed on February 25^th between the PNG Department of ICT and its Australian counterpart, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communication (DITRDC).

The MOU was signed by PNG Department’s Acting Secretary Steven Matainaho and Australia Department’s Secretary, Simon Atkinson, in Canberra at the DITRDC.