Most Papua New Guineans are aware of the inter-tribal fights and ethnic clashes so common in the Highlands region. We have heard and seen so many innocent lives lost in the last 10 to 15 years.
Just recently, the ethnic clash between Engans and Western Highlanders has gained the attention of the Government because lives have been lost and millions of kina worth of properties damaged.
However, the Government has not done anything constructive to stop such tensions.
Respective governors and MPs have ignored this chronic problem and we can expect more problems in the years to come.
As a Highlander, I would like to advise the governors of Enga and Southern Highlands to do something immediately to save the lives of your citizens.
The governors and MPs from the other four Highlands regions should understand that infrastructure development and efficient provision of services are vital for people.
At the same time human resources are important. I wish they would develop two other towns like Mt Hagen at Mendi and in Enga.
This may do some good because people like to live in Western Highlands.
Southern Highlanders and Engans face various problems because of culture differences with the Western Highlanders or they may be in the province to obtain a fair share of development benefits and services.
Therefore, one solution could be to remove all unemployed settlers who are living illegally on registered land. They should be encouraged to return to their own provinces.
MPs from the respective provinces must develop their provinces headquarters, towns and districts and provide the important services the people need. People are tempted to move to areas where there are the greener pastures.

Michael Drake Kapu
Madang.