M-SELEN operators, Solomon Telekom Company Limited, is reported to have asked the support of the National Government through the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MOFT) to support its operations in the rural areas.
M-Selen sources said a request has been submitted to MOFT, but it has yet to respond.
The sources said the request is for the ministry to pay the salaries of rural-based state workers like teachers, clinic nurses, agriculture extension officers and policemen and policewomen through the M-Selen agents.
They believe the M-Selen agents will ensure the rural based state workers will get their pay on time and do not have to go to the provincial capitals which have the bank agents.
The sources sympathise with teachers who on pay day have to walk, travel on motorised canoes or go on road transport to the bank agents to get their money.
The sources believe teachers often miss their classes.
Meanwhile, one of the three M-Selen agents in Tawatana village, Arosi One of West Makira said teachers from the Tawatana Community High School now go to them to withdraw money instead of traveling to Kirakira, the Makira-Ulawa Provincial Capital.
He added that villagers too use the M-Selen agents to get money and find the services useful.
By GEORGE ATKIN
West Makira Journalist
