Masiu welcomes decision

South Bougainville MP Timothy Masiu has welcomed the appointment of Bogia MP Robert Naguri as the new Minister for Information and Communication Technology.

He said this, following a cabinet reshuffle announced by the Prime Minister on Tuesday.

Masiu who has served in the ICT portfolio for the last 6 years, says he is satisfied with the progress made, under his leadership.

The outgoing Minister says he also respects the Prime Minister’s decision to have him replaced, based on health reasons.

I totally respect the decision of our prime minister, and wholeheartedly welcome the appointment of Mr Naguri as the incoming minister for ICT", Masiu said.

During his tenure, Mr Masiu steered a number of initiatives to modernize PNG’s digital landscape, including cybersecurity, expanding connectivity, AI adoption and international collaboration.

He also championed the national media development policy aimed at improving media.

In a statement this afternoon, the outgoing Minister says he is pleased with the strategic interventions and reforms, thus far, and acknowledged the Acting ICT Minister and fellow Bougainvillean Peter Tsiamalili Jnr for ensuring that critical projects continued during his absence.

"I also thank outgoing acting ICT Minister, Peter Tsiamalili Jnr, who ensured that critical projects in the ICT sector that I had initiated were progressively implemented

On the regional front, Mr Masiu highlighted the Lagatoi Declaration as a living testament to his leadership and PNG’s growing presence in the ICT space, during my enforced leave", Masiu said.

He also noted significant improvements at the National Broadcasting Corporation , which he said had transformed from a struggling state into a modern provider of radio , televsioon and online services.

Mr Masiu thanked the Prime Minister for the trust placed in him and acknowledged collegues , stakeholders, and partners who contributed to what he described as an amazing journey in advancing digital government.