The Public Accounts inquiry yesterday heard of communication difficulties in Districts that threatenthe Government implementation and service delivery policies.
The Committee was told that it costs about K1, 200 per month to rent Telikom’s VSAT Communication and radio systems. Districts havethereby stopped communicating.
The PAC inquiry was brief asthe Telikom Executives were asked to give evidence onthe state of Telikom’s communication roll out program. This includesthe VSAT system and HFInterconnection or radio system for remote Districts inthe country.
PAC Chairman, MP John Hickey toldthe inquiry thatthe government has invested over 30 million kina to roll outthe communication system. VSAT is part ofthe District Treasury Roll Outoone that most Districts have stopped using as it is costly.
Telikom Chief Executive Officer Charles Litau admitted a lot ofthese communication systems have deteriorated overtime and many were not in use. He will furnish a detailed report to justifythe costly rental fees.
The high cost of communication drastically affectsthe government’s implementation and service delivery policies. PAC Committee remindedthe State owned entity that it must uphold its community obligation to provide effective communication apart from generating income.
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