Warning to young girls
ON a recent late Sunday afternoon, I was waiting at a bus-stop in Port Moresby when I witnessed a shocking encounter that unnerved and shocked me. I was standing at the bus-stop with some men and two women. The younger woman was sitting by herself nearby. A taxi stopped by with three Highlands men in it. One of the men came out of taxi and walked to the young girl and tried to force her into the taxi. The helpless girl screamed and shouted when she realised she was being abducted. Luckily for the girl, one of the men standing nearby stood up against the Highlander and demanded to know what was going on. The Highlander faltered and said he thought the girl was on her own so he wanted to get her. What has the world come up to? Young girls, please be careful. – Shocked 21st Century man, Port Moresby

Replace Stagg and company
UNITECH is one of the prime universities in PNG. The confrontation between NASA and Unitech administration should not hinder the 2008 academic year. The current administration led by Philip Stagg is incompetent judging from the run-down school facilities and the many strike actions by students and staff (NASA). I say this because Stagg’s administration has not come up with amicable solutions to demands made by students and staff. The administration indulges in delaying tactic, which is adversely affecting the learning environment with qualified lecturers quitting. The NEC must replace the current administration without fear or favour for the good of the country. – Unitech SSR Kunalin Yalus, Lae

Gulf lagging behind others
I WAS both sad and ashamed to see a photo of Kerema in The National recently with the caption saying the poor conditions of the roads and other infrastructure. It appears that our leaders, public servants and landowners are not bothered. The provincial government must act. Other provinces are enjoying development but not Gulf province. If land ownership is the issue, it is the provincial government’s responsibility to resolve them. I have worked in Milne Bay for almost 30 years and I have seen it frow and prosper. Surely the landowners in Kerema can agree to a compromise so that there is development. This will encourage Kerema natives to return home to work and contribute to the area. – Eddie Morgan, Alotau

Leave Kokoda Track alone
I LIVE along the Kokoda Track and my message to those wishing to develop parts of it is – leave it alone! Kokoda trekking is one of the biggest activities in PNG tourism, contributing lots of money to the economy. It benefits the people who live along the track, some of whom act as porters for the tourists. As for me, I will continue to promote Kokoda trekking until I die. – Concerned, Sasa

A publicity stunt?
IT was good to read about some Baruni youths surrendering their illegal homemade firearms to the police recently and pledging to quit crime. It comes at a time when criminal activities are increasing throughout the country. This should encourage others to do the same. However, many criminals are using factory-made firearms. I hope it was not just a publicity stunt on the part of the Baruni youths to surrender their homemade guns while keeping factory-made guns. I also hope our law enforcers will take a stronger stand against criminals who terrorise and kill innocent people. These offenders should be locked up and the keys thrown away. We do not need such people in our midst. – S.R. Koldop, Port Moresby

Looking forward to new station
I AM pleased to read that the Somare Government has finally endorsed K12 million for a state-run TV station. This idea was proposed 10 years ago but kept on the shelf. The Government can disseminate information about what it is doing through its own TV. The National Broadcasting Corporation has done a terrific job for many years and now TV can further support and boost its service. A new TV station will bring in new insights, promote Government policies and have a far less commercial tone to its content. However, there should also be transparency and accountability. – David Simple Nugi, Kyushu, Japan
Letters