Greater autonomy is what PNG needs

Dr Michael Unage’s article, “PNG, a fragile sovereignty” (The National, February 13) brought to light the divisive forces that beset PNG’s political development.
He sees a ‘cartel of parochialism’ mainly involving Momase politicians and bureaucrats as destructive to the neutrality of the executive arm of Government.
Brace yourself Dr Unage because the PNG national Parliament is well and truly the arena for unproductive retaliatory actions, regional cronyism and legitimised corruption.
This will be the likely trend in processes of Government formation or resources distribution and allocation.
During the tenure of Wingti as prime minister in the mid 1990s, the cabinet and senior positions in the public sector were predominantly staffed by Highlanders.
Leading up to the 2007 elections, Peter Ipatas was also campaigning for a Highlands bloc to take over National Government.
One wonders what would have been the composition of the executive arm of Government if Ipatas’ party had won the 2007 election.
The phenomenon is not peculiar to our time, and it will only get worse.
Votes of no-confidence is one instrument capable of being utilised to vote out a cartel of parochialism has been limited by the predictability of the Integrity Law and more profoundly, by the weak parliamentary opposition.
Somare’s record in surviving the whole term of last parliament and his current optimism has bred arrogance.
Perhaps, regional governments or provincial autonomy should now be instituted to prevent the National Government from being hijacked by potentially destructive cohorts who become outright authoritarians.
Contrary to Dr Unage’s view, provincial autonomy is a healthy process within a democracy.
It will show which provinces or regions are capable of managing their resources and people wisely or maintaining law and order within their jurisdictions and in sustaining their own unique cultures and traditions.
If there is any consolation Dr Unage, it is seen in the fact that whilst Somare and his cohorts have a stranglehold on Waigani, his electorate or provincial headquarter of Wewak is still like a colonial backwater.
Alhough political corruption or the cartel of parochialism can be seen as destructive, the challenge is about good governance because this should encourage self-reliance.
In effect, the prevalence of political corruption should motivate grassroots mobilisation at the provincial, local and community levels of government and provide the basis to negotiate for greater provincial autonomy.
Provincial autonomy, which includes financial autonomy, will give provinces a greater say on revenue generated within various jurisdictions instead of leaving them as mere spectators of the divisive politics found in Waigani.

P. K.
Port Moresby
NCD.

Powes Parkop
LLB LLM MP
Governor
NCD.