Preparations for Papua New Guinea's new national television station is on target and will be launched on September 16 as promised by the Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare.

In a telephone interview yesterday, Information and Communications Secretary Henao Iduhu assured that the government - particularly his office - had a duty to the government and would deliver the new television service as promised.

He said because the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) would own the TV station, it was a matter of upgrading existing radio infrastructure to facilitate the station.

Iduhu said there was no need to build new office complex or separate infrastructure for the TV station.

"As you know radio and television broadcasts are quite similar and it is a matter of upgrading the existing radio infrastructure," he said, adding everything else such as recruitment of staff was under control.

Iduhu said the technical task force was working around the clock on the project and he saw no reason why the new TV station should not be launched as planned.

It was announced earlier this year that the national television would launch its services on September 16 this year as the Prime Minister's gift to the people of PNG when the country celebrated its 32nd anniversary.

No apparent work has commenced as yet at the proposed site of the new TV station at Five-Mile where trees were cut down some months back for a new office complex for the station. The National Online/Pacific Media Watch, 20/05/08.