A milestone Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Deputy Chief Information Officer in the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), Mr John Jack and the Director of the Department of Energy, Mr Anthony Garae on 20th of August 2021.

The objective of the signing of the MoU was for the two government entities to collaborate through their respective roles in providing power, energy and access to internet in the islands, particularly in the remote areas.

In his remarks, Deputy CIO Jack thanked the Department of Energy for the positive initiative taken to supply power which is a resource to enable ICT services in the rural communities.

“The OGCIO looks forward to collaborate through this MoU for the positive beneficial of it. Under the Government Access Policy, 98% of the rural population are connected, however, much yet needs to be done for other places that are not yet under green power,” Mr Jack explained.

He added they look forward to other reliable source of energy and sharing of infrastructures and continue to collaborate not only with the Department of Energy, but other government institutions also as health and education.

Garae outlined the importance of the use of power and the roles OGCIO plays in collaborating together with the Energy Department. He said without power there is no access to internet and there is a need this kind of collaboration to connect the two important institutions.

He said the Department of Energy has sealed similar arrangement with other government essential services, such as education, cooperative and tourism and they are looking forward to welcome and collaborate through such MoU arrangements with other services, including health in the future.