Micah: No decision on bemobile’s future yet

By MALUM NALU

Minister for Public Enterprises and State Investments Ben Micah says the government has not yet made a decision on the fate of bemobile.

He also said that Telikom was getting a “major upgrade”.

Micah said this yesterday when asked by The National about a due diligence being done on bemobile which suggested that it was seriously looking for investors, as well as a proposal being made that Telikom be broken up. 

Micah addressing the SOE forum on Monday.-Nationalpic by MALUM NALU

“The government has not made any decision (on bemobile) as yet,” he said at the state-owned enterprises forum at parliament.

“I think the bemobile board has actually put out requests for expressions of interest.”

Micah said Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) owned 47% of bemobile, 47% by Hong Kong-based Capital Way, and the balance by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).”

He said of Telikom: “Telikom is going to undergo major upgrading.

“Part of the (K6 billion) loan from China is coming to SOEs.”

Micah said the use of lines by PNG Power for electricity and Telikom for communications could be integrated into one.

“Transmissions lines of PNG Power can also be used for communications,” he said.

“They will be integrated into one.”

Commenting on the recent ADB report on SOEs and the two-day forum, Micah said: “A major announcement will be made soon.

“A policy submission will be made for a way forward to cabinet.

“That will be the policy on SOEs.”

Later, when closing the forum, Micah commended all who participated.

“We as a people have come of age,” he said.

“We have no more excuses to make decisions that will only benefit ourselves.

“The future of the country is trapped in the minds of all of you (participants).

“Everything that you said today, I will listen to them on tape.

“I will be guided by these ideas.”