THE NATION’S PURSUIT OF TRUTH MEANS THE PM MUST RESPECT THE CONSTITUTION

By Busa Jeremiah Wenogo

The justice that we all seek and the truth that we all yearn for is an undeniable right bequeathed to every Papua New Guinean by God almighty and enshrined in our constitution. No one can take that away from us; not even by force. To do so is a treason. When we the people express our dissent against a “democratically elected” government that enslaves our alienable rights through the use of undemocratic tactics; we ought to be heard loud and clear for that is our "democratic right". For the creation of this and any government before, now and in the future was, is and will be by the function of our democratic rights which is a cornerstone of our democracy. What is a government without the governed? What is a leader without the followers? Truth cannot and will not be compatible with lies, deceptions and deceit. What is wrong cannot be made right. When the truth is made plain clear silence will have to give way to dissension. Our silence is by default a result of our ignorance to the truth but when truth is made known our discord and discontentment is our plea for justice.

The denial of the truth has this nation bordering on civil unrest. It’s suppression will only be at the expense of our own people. In such times men of caliber have stepped up to diffuse such tense situation by their acts of valour and self-sacrifice. The current PM being the leader of this country is called to do likewise and set a clear example to the future leaders of this country. His refusal is only sowing seed for a futile future where leaders will not have any respect for the rule of law. The nation’s future should not be forfeited for protecting an individual’s self-interest. PNG belongs to all of us. The position of the Prime Minister is the most public position in PNG. It exists for the sole sake and benefit of the 8-10 million Papua New Guineans. As such it is accountable to all Papua New Guineans regardless of creed, colour, disabilities, socio-economic status, religious affiliation and ethnicity. It is an authority set up by the people of this country to be the defense against internal and foreign threats to protect its every alienable rights from deprivation and exploitation. It does not exist to harbor tyranny and promote an individual or group’s interest at the expense of the majority. The title of “Prime Minister” epitomizes a unified sovereign nation therefore its bearer should at all times endeavour to be the symbol of Papua New Guinea's microcosm - its people, cultures, believes and dreams.   

   

Since the University Students have boycotted their class over serious allegations leveled against the Prime Minister the public have been privy to new information that seems to unravel the “behind the scene” developments that have led to the current political crisis. Thanks to the “internet and mobile phone revolution” social media platforms such as facebook are churning out important information that is informing an “ignorant” public about the details of the current saga. Each new day the public are becoming emboldened by the truth; its suppressor hesitant by its revelation. It is a matter of time before the truth will see the light of day. This year could be a year of reckoning for PNG as a country if all Papua New Guineans stay on the course in pursuit of truth.

To those that argue that it is the PM’s constitutional rights to seek court’s deliberation on his arrest over Parakagate they must realize that he must also respect the rights of every Papua New Guinean to whom he has solemnly taken an oath to protect. His pursuit of his own justice by all means should not disadvantage the nation's pursuit for truth and justice. It is the universal truth that the smaller entity must give up its freedom to the larger entity. That is the only way to maintain one's integrity. This means that the PM should be ready to surrender himself to face the full force of the law as required by the law of the land. When the PM creates roadblocks to derail people's pursuit for truth it is against the "spirit and intent" of the oath he has sworn to uphold. In such a time as we are now in, both sides (The PM and the people of this country) should strive to seek the truth and nothing but the truth to set this nation free from all oppression and its imminent destruction.

Rampant drug & alcohol consumption has PNG on a slippery slope

By Busa Jeremiah Wenogo

In fast growing cities such as Port Moresby and Lae weekends are no longer safe and peaceful. This is particularly the case for settlement residents. A typical weekend for residents in settlements in major cities and centers around PNG is often characterized by alcohol and drug fueled nuisance and violence. In Lae consistent indulgence in this dangerous lifestyle has seen regular fights among different ethnic groups which has led to the loss of life and destructions of properties worth thousands and millions of kina. The problem unfortunately is still ongoing. Recently confrontation between the Sepiks and the Western Highlanders brought the once peaceful Madang Town to a halt. Port Moresby too has had its fair share of problems like the recent ethnic tensions that led to the temporary closure of Gordons Market. Yet Port Moresby unlike the other centers has benefited from quick interventions by the government and the law enforcement agencies such as Police. Nevertheless, this does not seem to be enough. Amidst its high rise buildings and freeways a time bomb is ticking away as drug and alcohol consumption among its youth is quickly getting out of control.

Over the weekend me and my family were shocked to learn that one of our "wantok's" son passed away. The young man; a school leaver was in his early 20s. Details about his life began to emerge soon after he was found dead on the side of the freeway heading towards the Erima Flyover Bridge. He was said to be someone who normally hangs out with other young men, getting by each day through engaging in mischievous activities like pick pocket and harassing public for money. The money they steal always make their way into illegal drug trade and beer outlets in the settelments of Erima. Although the actual cause of death is still yet to be determined the family and surrounding neighbours who knew the young man well said that he may have died from an alcohol related incident. This young man is one of the many unaccounted youths who are losing their lives every year senselessly due to the excessive consumption of drugs and alcohol. 

The uncontrolled consumption of alcohol and drug among youths is now one of the most pressing issues that is confronting PNG as it experiences rapid development. What is more concerning is the sad reality that there seem to be no control/restriction been imposed to prevent underage and youth drinking. Out in the streets many youths can be seen consuming alcohol freely in broad daylight with no fear of being reprimanded by the authorities. Their act of open defiance poses a threat to the public and the future of this country. The thought of having this country run by drug and alcohol addicts is frightening but looks more ominous as each day goes by. Putting the statistics aside a visit into a settlement in Port Moresby or one of the major urban centres of PNG will make one realize that we are only scratching the surface of a very big problem.

In broad daylight thugs armed with pocket knives or sharp objects prowled the bus stops of the cities and major centres in PNG in search of their victims. For instance; in Port Moresby Tabari bus stop and Gordon Market are regarded as no go zone for city residents due to the high frequency of petty crimes, harassment and abuse. The presence of these wayward youths is an unwelcome sight for the public. They are viewed with disgust and are often described as pests, hindrance to Port Moresby’s bid to become a globally recognized city.

In a lot of settlements that I have been I have observed how chaotic life is. For some settlements the situation is such that it is now reaching breaking point. Consumption of drugs and alcohol are no longer a taboo in the community. Infact most families in the settlement venture into the illegal drug trade to make ends meet. Loud music blasting into the airwaves is a norm and nobody cares if the music rolls up into the night. Trade store owners operating in the settlements don’t see a need to secure trading licenses from the local authorities to sell alcohol since the local authorities exercise a lax approach to enforcement. The settlers whose convenience is taken care of by the trade stores gladly obliged. Trading of alcohol is the single largest revenue generator for most of these illegal tucker shops. All these contribute towards the notoriety of the settlement lifestyles that are well known throughout the country.       

Kids in this settlement like any typical kids longed for a happy life. Echoes of laughter can be heard amongst the shabby houses with leaky roofs as kids move about in happy mood. Their smiles are a breath of fresh air from the soggy atmosphere. With rampant juvenile delinquencies a norm in most settlements in Port Moresby and other parts of PNG; you can’t help but wonder if all these will be lost as their innocence is replaced with the harsh realities of life. Even those in schools cannot fully develop their innate abilities because of our government’s failure in introducing short-sighted reforms that only make our kids dumbs. Poor reform choice give our kids a perfect excuse to stay out of school and learn about life by hustling the streets to make ends meet. I’ve seen too many of them turn themselves in to the gangstar/petty criminal lifestyle to put to use their youth exuberance. In the process they lose respect from the community and sadly their lives. If we are not careful we could leave a generation of these kids out in the gutter of our society.   

As the family of the young man come to terms with the loss more questions than answers will linger in their minds. Each of them will no doubt feel responsible for allowing this unfortunate event to unfold. On a larger scale questions will be asked about what the government is doing or is failing to do. Will this poor family living in the settlement receive justice if the young man’s death is a case of manslaughter? Only time will tell but the road ahead looks precarious.

PNG should be a country that is for all of its citizens regardless of who they are, where they are from or what they are. Leaders should make every effort to remove this great divide between the rich and the poor. All throughout Port Moresby and other major centres of PNG this is becoming all too common.  Youths in particular are the real sufferers as they are left to fend for an uncertain future. They should not resolve to taking drugs and alcohol as a means to seek solace from the harsh realities of modern PNG. Government should strive to create an inclusive and equitable society; one that is truly embracing all our diversity. A government that thrives on disunity and problems governs not by its conscience but by its selfish-ego. PNG is not for the few elites to enjoy but for all to take pride in and excel using their innate abilities.   

   

Illegitimising informal economy is a wasteful endeavour

By Busa Jeremiah Wenogo

While most Papua New Guineans earn their living through myriad of informal economic activities the condition under which they operate their micro-enterprises is normally unfriendly and not conducive to spur growth. Most government regulations and policy are not in favour of the informal economy. Even the Informal Sector Development & Control Act 2004; a legislation put in place by the Somare led Government to impose minimum standards to promote informal economy; has fallen by the wayside. Subsequently in the absence of an enabling environment, informal market vendors, peddlers and mobile traders often fall victim to harassment and abuse. These cases of abuse and harassments often lead to unfavourable outcomes for the informal economy participants. For those who depend on it as their main source of survival, punitive measures against informal economy have had a serious repercussion on their livelihood. The situation is much worse when it involves women (most of whom are active informal economy participants in PNG) whose vulnerability means they become easy prey for aggressive law enforcers. In places like Gordon Market mothers are constantly falling victim to the tough tactics of both the police and the NCDC Buai Rangers. All over the city this is a common sight. In their illuminating vests moving around in the comfort of their ten seater Toyota Land cruiser Buai Rangers swoop at the sight of buai vendors. In this coordinated yet misguided haste they usually misfire when they mistaken an innocent member of the public for a buai vendor. The ensuing scene often turns out to be both comical and outrageous. Unlike the formal sector workers, informal economy workers’ rights are not protected by law in PNG although the constitution does provide a broader rights framework especially when it comes to the “Principle of Natural Justice”. Furthermore, the ill-capacity of the Public Solicitor’s Office means that affected informal economy vendors are not able to sought affordable legal advice and assistance. Subsequently, complaints of abuse and harassment go unnoticed even when they are been reported to the Police.    

It is fair to say that apart from trading alcohol in the black market, soliciting the sale of illicit drugs (marijuana) and counterfeit products; most informal economic activities are legitimate forms of micro-enterprise activities. This implies that most of the people are actually making their living honestly in the informal economy. These activities are the lifeline of 80-85% of the PNG’s unemployed and under-employed population who make up a large portion of the unskilled and semi-skilled labourforce in the country. Therefore, outlawing informal economic activities will only encourage the emergence of black markets accompanied by criminal activities such as smuggling, prostitution, break-ins, hold ups and other law and order problems. There are also a growing number of skilled labourforce (especially in the urban centres) who are venturing into the informal economy as a way of supplementing their formal income to stay above the rising cost of living. So when a government decides to impose a blanket ban on the conduct of all informal economic activities, it goes against commonsense and logic. The imposition of the Buai Ban by the National Capital District Commission is one very good example.

Prior to the ban the trading of betelnut did not yield any unlawful activities like smuggling nor the unnecessary destruction of other non-buai products. With the ban now in full force cook food and beverages vendors apart from the buai vendors are the most affected. Normally for Central and NCDC the prices of betelnut  are relatively competitive with players along its supply chain earning a fair return. The imposition of the ban however has paved the way for the middlemen to thrive in their business at the expense of the producers. Infact the cost of bypassing the middlemen is so exorbitant nowadays. Most producers travel on PMVs and then onto dinghies to get their betelnut bags into Port Moresby. The overall costs involve transport costs back to the village. Meaning they pay double or triple the cost they could have incurred in a normal situation. Once in Port Moresby they then had to spend money on lodging and food. Often they go back with zero profit. With betelnut being the only viable cash crops to sustain their family’s livelihood the implications are enormous. The transport sector more specifically the owners of PMVs are another lot also feeling the pinch of the ban. With middlemen and wholesalers driving up to markets like Roburogo and Toutu to buy bags of betelnut these highway PMV drivers are unable to generate adequate income interms of PMV fares. Subsequently, most PMV owners are not able to meet their loan obligation with financial institutions. This is a blatant slap on the face to the government’s push to grow the SME sector in the country as well as address the huge financial exclusion gap. In Port Moresby the story is a total contrast to this situation. Unlike the producers and the PMV operators the wholesalers and retailers are making a killing with huge mark-up on the prices of betelnut. The prices are expected to further go up with the announcement by NCDC to impose a hefty fine of K500 for chewing and spitting in public places. The business is so lucrative that sellers are thanking the Governor and his team for imposing the ban. Even enforcers of the Buai Ban are getting in on the act with reports of betelnut being openly sold in police barracks and police colluding with buai vendors to smuggle betelnuts into the city. How could an endeavour to rid betelnut off the streets of Port Moresby open up a floodgate of problems to the point that it is becoming clear that the ban is a failed policy?

While the intention of the ban was to illegalise the consumption of betelnut to make Port Moresby litter free and less prone to communicable diseases like TB, its enforcement has been problematic with reports of widespread harassment, abuse and deaths. Such punitive measures should carefully consider the cost and benefits associated with its imposition before its implementation takes effect. In any case the imposition of the ban should be a measure of last resort given lessons learnt from other countries.

Tackling PNG’s informal economy is not an easy task. Yet it becomes even more daunting when the government unnecessarily imposes tougher laws or measures in an endeavour to outlaw highly demanded or addictive substance such as the betelnut. The Hobessian problem should be avoided at all costs to ensure that there is willingness from the governed to conform to any laws including the Buai Ban. Otherwise it will only lead to a cat and mouse game that will only be at the cost of the implementing agency and the tax payers. The Buai Ban is demonstrating that if not properly planned what started out as a quick fix solution will overtime end up creating more problems than anticipated.  

Time to reconsider democracy’s fate in PNG

By Busa Jeremiah Wenogo

Monday 9^th of May 2016 was supposed to have been the day when PNG arise to demand the government to address critical issues of national importance. Most Papua New Guineans were led to believe that a nationwide protest will be staged by concerned NGOs. Certainly the morning of that Monday was surrounded by a different vibe to the familiar hustle and bustle that we have come to know in Port Moresby.  Most schools were closed and only few people commuted to work. I made up my mind over the weekend that I would join in the protest by staying away from work as requested by the NGOs regardless of what happened. As far as I am concerned that is the least I could do to show my frustration towards this government. A lot of things that have transpired in the last few months have created an aura of confusion, doubts and anger among the general populous. With the University students continuing their boycott and the NGOs and Trade Union Congress expressing concern over the government’s handling of the nation’s affairs; there was a strong feeling of uncertainty and anxiety.   

The police as usual were in no mood to entertain any protest. The hierarchy of the police made sure of that when they issued warnings to the public not to take part in any protest. I wonder if we would ever experience a protest march to exercise our freedom of speech and conscience in this country. It seems just about every protests in Port Moresby have been deemed to be “illegal”. Media freedom is constantly under threat from a hostile government even social media which is the only forum available to Papua New Guineans for debate and expression; is increasingly coming under the government’s microscope. The recent attempt by the government to introduce a Bill to combat cyber crime is the latest attempt in its fight to outlaw opposition against the government. This is uncalled for especially when democracy allows for the creation of a government and an opposition to ensure proper checks and balances are in place to maintain and strengthen transparency, accountability and good governance. The term “opposition” is not only limited to the floor of parliament but can include students, general public or interest groups. We are deliberately creating an illusion when we only limit it to the floor of parliament. In PNG the parliament is not an effective arm of democracy because it often serves and at times bulldozes pro-government agendas.    

The way we have gone about suppressing our people’s conscience and freedom in the last decade or so makes me wonder if it is time to reconsider democracy’s future in PNG. Political stability is not enough to say that we have a “vibrant democracy”. China which is still a communist government has enjoyed long period of political stability. However, with attempts to regulate freedom of speech PNG is moving closer towards a Central Government system like that of China. We need people to exercise their democratic rights. We need to give our people and democracy a fair go. So far sadly we are not willing to do so. We are not helping when we (the custodian of the law) abuse our power to circumnavigate the laws or violate rights of others. For instance, when we abuse and harass informal market vendors or bash up members of the public without first exhausting other available and acceptable means. Equally a tolerant constituency does not necessarily mean that they are in agreement with the government’s views and conduct but their opposition could be inhibited by their own ignorance of the law. Bear in mind that PNG has one of the highest illiteracy rates in the world. Thus a government who claims mandate to govern via the “ballot box” cannot claim outright to have the favour of the people due to the widespread cases of vote rigging during election day in PNG. 

I have often felt secured when I see police officers patrolling the streets but not on that particular Monday. Their presence aimed at thwarting any gatherings makes me realize the fight against corruption is only given a “lip service” in this country. Are we cowards or is it because this country has lost its place in democracy? Certainly on numerous occasions the erratic, unpredictable and unprecedented conduct of our government and their institutions towards undermining mechanisms of justice has raised questions about the vibrancy of our democracy. Anarchy, police state, kleptocracy, theocracy, guided democracy and dictatorship are just some of the words used to describe our chameleon system of government. While these descriptions could be argued as far from reality there is no doubt that we may have exhibited traits of these various forms of governance since we gained independence. Thank God we have not surrendered our democracy to these extreme forms of government. Yet I cannot help but ask how long we are going to go on like this.

No one individual in this country should be allowed to exercise unrestrained power to derail justice and undermine the rule of law. No one person or group is above the law. At the same time no individual or groups in this country should have their rights neither denied nor suppressed. Democracy was tested on Monday and it was found to be a threat unto itself. Is it time for PNG to reconsider its fate?     

    

UPNG 2005 UNREST: Lest we forget

By Busa Jeremiah Wenogo  

As I penned this piece I am reminded of the many young men and women in Universities throughout the country who have decided to risks their studies and their very future to voice their concern on various issues of national importance. It pains me to think that they are anxious, fearful and doubtful of the outcome as each day goes by.  Yet I hope they will realize that their courage and determination to seek justice gives Papua New Guinea hope for a better tomorrow. The least we the rest of the concerned and law abiding citizens of this country could do is to stand up with the students as they exercise their democratic and God given rights on behalf of the silent majority. Yet it frustrates me to think that the nemesis they are confronting is none other than our own government. I ask how did we come to this? How can the problems of the entire nation come to rest on these young shoulders?

I hope this piece is both an encouragement and words of advice to the students as they embark on their fight for good governance and respect for the rule of law. I hope and pray that for the sake of the students’ wellbeing the government responds to their petition favourably.

Student power is a term often synonymous with student unrest. In PNG UPNG has a colourful history of student activism eversince its establishment. The same can be said of UNITECH and other tertiary institutions which in their own right have stood up one time or another on various issues of significant importance both internally and externally. Unfortunately some of these protests have resulted in the deaths of students. In recent memory the 2001 UPNG protests against Privatization stood out in this regard. This is something that a democratic country like PNG should avoid at all cost. I pray that we will not see a similar incident ever again in the future or even now. Students like all right thinking and concern Papua New Guineans and most importantly being the future leaders of this country, deserve to be heard by our government. A failure to do that can provoke violent unrest as is evident in the past. This is something that should be avoided at all cost for it does not serve the interest of anyone. Yet one has to wonder what should be foregone for the greater good; justice and truth or lies and deception? Furthermore we should ask if we should remain silent when the nation is in peril?

I participated in a UPNG student movement back in 2005. Although it was a dreadful experience at that time looking back I feel privilege to have been part of a movement that was critical to the future of UPNG. I hope our efforts have borne fruit with our current students and those who graduated after us. The 2005 UPNG student unrest was over the grading system used by UPNG to award academic grades to students. It was deemed by the student body at that time that the grading system was unfair as it allocated academic grades based on a quota system. This meant that it unnecessarily downgraded a student’s academic grade although his/her marks may indicate otherwise. Beside this the petition of the student at that time also called upon the UPNG Administration at that time to quickly address the diabolical state of key infrastructure critical to student learning such as dormitories, internet and the library. What started out as a petition to the UPNG Administration turned out into a nasty confrontation between the student body and the administration when the police assaulted first year students in a night raid.     

I can still vividly recall that night while a resident at the Niumoro Dormitory in 2005 when the policemen armed with bullet proof vests and high powered guns stormed into the four (4) first year dorms. Prior to that they threw T-Gas canisters to flush out the students from the dorms. This was in retaliation of an attack by the students on a fire truck that was sent in to put out a fire at the UPNG Maintenance section where several other students detonated a self-made petrol bomb. That night's experience was terrible. Students fled in all direction in fear of their lives. Some jumped over the fence into the nearby Botanical Garden (Nature park) to seek refuge while the rest were rounded up by the police. This lot which I was part of underwent a rough interrogation exercise. During the interrogation students were beaten and verbally assaulted. Most of the students including myself had to run through a line of policemen while being punched. We then had police officers pressing their boots against our bear back while lying on the grass or bear soil. The beating continued into the wee hours of the night. This is something that I personally do not want anyone let alone the current UPNG students to go through just to be heard. We owe it to them and the people of this country to resolve our matters in a civilized manner. Our political leaders most of whom are UPNG graduates and once upon a time student leaders themselves should put themselves in the students’ shoe and come down and address their concern.

In 2007 when I was the President of the newly revived Economics Student Society we were confronted with the issue of our degree program facing abolition. The UPNG Administration at that time acting on the advise from a report that was done in 2007 on the reforms into the UPNG Re-structure recommended that the Economics Degree Program be removed/abolished altogether. The Economics Student Body saw this as an insult to our intelligence as well as the profession of Economics in PNG. Furthermore, it meant that future Economics Graduates from UPNG were going to be competing in a crowded job market. In pursing this agenda we made it our business (learning from the experiences in 2005) to explore protest as the option of last resort. Under pressure we went to work while I maintained an open line of communication with the UPNG Vice Chancellor at that time, Professor Ross Hynes. We argued in his office on couple of occasions on the issue. He tried his best to convince me and I did likewise. Eventually we both agreed that the Economics Student Body will do up a petition outlining our points to be tabled before the UPNG Council and then the Senate for their deliberation. Although our petition was knocked out on the technical grounds by the UPNG Council we persisted with a revised petition and had it tabled before the Senate with the assistance from Prof Hynes. Eventually we got the Senate to rescind the decision to remove the degree program; a victory for the Economics students.  

While the 2005 experience was traumatic compared to 2007 I realized that in both cases we gained valuable experiences that shaped our lives and those that came after us. Fortunately for both cases we eventually got what we wanted although in the case of the 2005 unrest it came at the risks of our life. With the proliferation of social media and internet to aid their course the current batch of students are in a far more superior position than my lot and those before us. I am hoping that the students utilise the wealth of information available at their disposal to make the most informed decision as they take this fight on.

Materials of interest on the 2005 unrest

http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2005/November/11-16-07.htm

https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-137729457.html

In your fight against evil know this: You are not alone

By Busa Jeremiah Wenogo

Throughout history tales of heroics of individuals rising to fight against evil have been revered by both the good and bad. The fight against evil is a fight that every individual regardless of who they are or where they are from set out in the early part of their life to do. It shows that evil is humanity’s greatest adversary and that we all strive for goodness. Yet somewhere along their lifetime many good men and women have fallen by the wayside helpless as they surrender themselves into the clutches of evil only to be transformed into the very evil they set out to vanquish. It affirms the words of Christ in the twilight hours of his life when confronting the Pilate "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place”. In the same sense if we desire justice and seek it with all our might and yet we find walls of resistance in our way; know that the country you serve is not your home until that wall comes down.

Out on the battlefield victory may look insurmountable but know that in silence so many are praying that victory is yours. As you stand wondering what would unfold before your very eyes know that history is about to take a right turn in favour of your valour.  In times like this the future does not belong to the faint hearted but to those that wear courage proudly around their heart. In our absence we are with you all in our prayers.  

In our fight against a ruling regime that has shown lack of respect for the rule of law know that the truth is restless. It will remain restless until it is allowed to see the light. Until then we must remain vigilant. In our fight for justice we will take the fight not to the mountains, jungles and our homes where peace abound but to the echelon of power where justice is usurped and humiliated. If we have been silent for so long at the cost of prosperity and unity then we should not be anymore. If we have been complacent for so long blinded by a false sense of hope then let us rise up and be complacent no more. The future we all hope for will not be conceived until we make a stand today.

For those that serve justice well history is your mother who shall sing your songs to her children. To those that pray for Justice your words will reverberate in the hearts and minds of those that seek justice. If you make a stand to fight for justice know that justice is indebted to you so long as you preserve its dignity. If you must rise up; ascend with humility and conviction and if you must fall, fall with grace knowing that you gave all your best.

In your fight against evil know this; You are not alone. All for PNG and PNG for All

   

A time for change: The fight against corruption is everyone’s fight

By Busa Jeremiah Wenogo

As the momentum across the country builds up to demand the government to account for allegations of corruption leveled against them it’s important that every citizen in Papua New Guinea must understand that this is a battle for our future. It does not matter who you are or where you are from; if you consider yourself a patriot then this is the time you have to stand united with all concern Papua New Guineans to demand a new deal, a new destiny and a new future. If you are on the fence sooner or later you will have to decide whether to join the crusade or hop on the bandwagon of gluttony and indulgence. Whether you consider yourself a proponent of corruption or an ally, friend, compatriot, associate or colleague of those who promote corruption with their deeds; moral conviction should have your conscience troubled. The truth is that Goodness and Righteousness is universal so what is wrong cannot be made right. Those who use all means possible to prove otherwise are no different to Judas Iscariot.    

This country belongs to the 8-10 million Papua New Guineans who consider this country their home. No one person or group should hold this country to ransom. There should be a concerted effort from everyone to seek justice and recourse for the wrongs that have been done to our nation in the past and present by our government or foreign agents. The fight against a contagious and pervasive endemic such as corruption does not require a divided house of political wrangling but one built on the common voice of the commoners. Only this will restore the future of this country. There should be no room for regionalism, individualism and all forms of schisms that stand to divide us and derail the effort to reign in this “wild beast” called corruption that has caused havoc in all facets of life in PNG. Failure to stop its stampede has ensure that our national security is constantly being undermined, the gap between the rich and poor continues to widen even more and  our State of Union is in danger of being fragmented due to nepotism. Our allegiance should be to God, the Constitution and the people of this country and no one else. 

Governments come and governments go but not our freedom and liberty. As human beings we are bequeathed by God with these unique traits to reach the full potential of our humanity socially, spiritually and physically. What is the worth of forfeiting that which defines us as a people? There are countries who have suffered to enjoy the privilege of nationhood and sovereignty that we see withered away before our eyes by self-serving individuals and entities. Are we prepared to be our own worst enemy? What is life without God, a nation to call home, a national anthem to sing of our pride as a nation, a flag to fly our patriotism with pride and a constitution to defend our alienable rights? Should we be foxes with no foxholes or birds with no nest? 

PNG is yet to see a government that is truly of the people, for the people and by the people.  Every election is jeopardized by politicians and their hungry for power supporters. Power is snatched from the people and people feel powerless to seek justice. No government can absolutely say that they have been given mandate by the people. The truth is just about majority of elections are won through foul play and intimidation. As we prepare for the 2017 General election we should begin to think seriously of what we should do to make this election a “free and fair election”. Fighting corruption begins at the ballot box. Let’s defeat corruption at the ballot box. Before that we need to shake the establishment and send a clear message to the echelon of power that we the people mean business.