Monday 27 July, 2026
The Department of Information and Communications Technology together with the National ICT Authority and the National Broadcasting Corporation gathered at the NBC Headquarters at 5 Mile, to bid farewell to outgoing Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Hon. Timothy Masiu, and to welcome incoming Minister Hon. Robert Naguri.
NBC Managing Director Mr. Kora Nou reflected on the major accomplishments under Minister Masiu’s leadership, highlighting the NBC Access to Digital (A2D) project and major infrastructure upgrades for the national broadcaster.
“These achievements have strengthened NBC’s role in serving the people of Papua New Guinea,” he said.
DICT Secretary Mr. Steven Matainaho, shared a personal reflection on his working relationship with Minister Masiu.
“I remember when Minister Masiu came in, he called me into the office and said, ‘I’ve been here three days and haven’t heard from you.’ That moment reminded me I needed to be on the same line as the Minister,” Matainaho recalled.
He emphasized that communication and consistency were the hallmarks of their success.
“Vision translates to execution. When the line is broken somewhere, work is not done,” he said, pledging full commitment to Minister Naguri: “We are with you 200%, and we will double up.”
Speaking on behalf of NICTA CEO Mr. Polume Lume, NICTA UAS Director Mr. Warren Suti acknowledged the progress made under Minister Masiu.
“We made important progress in turning digital visions into action. Even with the best policies and legislation, implementation is an issue, and NICTA continues to improve that,” he said.
Addressing Minister Naguri, he added: “The demand for meaningful, affordable connectivity is growing, and our goal must be to ensure universal access. It is about connecting our people to opportunities.”
In his farewell remarks, Hon. Timothy Masiu encouraged all agencies to continue working together.
“Today I hand over this Ministry. I served for seven years, and even fell sick in line of duty while on official engagement in Manila. I remember when we hosted the first ICT Ministers Meeting in PNG, and now it has evolved into a regional cornerstone of ICT in the Pacific,” he said.
Incoming Minister Hon. Robert Naguri shared his personal connection to NBC.
“I grew up in the remote village of Bogia, listening to the NBC, and I have seen it grow over the years,” he said.
He assured staff of his commitment to continue the work already laid by Minister Masiu.
“The foundations are laid already, I’m just here to carry on the work my brother Hon. Masiu has done. I will inspect your workplaces and ensure you are happy so that you can give 100% to the people of Papua New Guinea,” he said.