Government improves flow of information to rural areas

The Government is to take another step forward to improve the flow of information from Honiara to the rural communities in the country and vice-versa when it signs a Memorandum of Understanding tomorrow with the People First Network (PFNet) for the use of its rural email stations to send a weekly news bulletin.

Under the MOU, the PFNet will allow its more than 20 rural email stations scattered around the country to disseminate a weekly news bulletin from the Government Communications Unit in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Ten copies of the news bulletin will be printed free with five copies posted at strategic positions within the village where the email station is located and five other copies to nearby villages.

Villagers will also be able to comment on the news bulletin which will be sent back to the Government Communications Unit by the rural email stations free of charge.

“The Government hopes that this initiative will compliment the information that is being broadcast over the radio and printed in the private newspapers,” Mr Alfred Maesulia, Director of the Government Communications Unit said.

“Our rural people will also have the chance to put their views forward on what the government is doing, thereby providing the two way communication between the government and its people.”

The initiative will be reviewed after three months to see if it could be improved further.

“I strongly believe that this initiative will greatly empower our rural people through knowing what is happening within the Government and give the chance for them to submit their feedback to the government,” Mr Maesulia said.

The initiative is being funded for about $40,000 for the next six months under the RAMSI Machinery of Government Program.

Mr Maesulia said: “The Government would like to thank RAMSI, the management of PFNet and all the rural email station committees for agreeing to cooperate to implement this initiative.

News souce: Government Communications Unit (http://www.pmc.gov.sb)