|
Sports |
Not impressed with
Powi
THE administrator of Southern Highlands, William Powi, in my
observation, is manipulating the people of Mendi.
He claimed that his administration funded the upgrading of
several roads in the province when in actual fact, they were
funded by donor agencies.
It is also very embarrassing to see Powi has never passed a day
without buying beer for his tribesmen.
-Mi krai long ples, Via email
Fed up with
tribal fights
I REFER to the letter “Humiliated by tribal fights” (Oct 1) by
“Upisa Ala”. I appreciate the Somare-Temu Government’s
initiative to set up a law reform committee headed by
Kundiawa-Gembogl MP Joe Mek Teine to push for harsher penalties.
We have not gone far in terms of development, especially in the
Highlands, because of the constant tribal fights. They paint a
bad image of PNG. I would say the traditional tribal fight is
extinct but due to the presence of illegal weapons, it has
evolved into another stage. Since PNG is unable to rid its ‘big
man’ culture, I would say the so-called ‘big shots’ are
responsible for the smuggling of illegal weapons and ammunition.
I call on Teine and his committee to impose harsher penalties on
those involved. We are fed up because tribal fights have claimed
countless productive lives, valuable projects and properties.
The time has come for PNG to move forward in the 21st century.
– Charles Kendee Itox, Madang
Ministers marring
progress
THE current Minister for Communication Patrick Tammur and
Minister for State Enterprises Arthur Somare must not hold back
the progress of this nation. They should realise that
competition is good for the people of PNG. They should not have
acted in such a childish way. This only show that both of you do
not have the interest of the people and country in your heart.
Both Members must realise that your coconut plantation and
pukpuk farm will never in any way rejuvenate the economy
compared to the mobile phone company which has employed so many
Papua New Guineans. – Terry Mape, Lae
Tammur a rubber stamp?
THE mobile competition will end in disaster if Arthur Somare and
Patrick Tammur go ahead with their NEC submission on revoking
the powers of the ICCC. Why revoke the power of an independent
body which is doing a fine job for the people of PNG? What’s the
rationale behind this move, Somare and Tammur? If the power of
granting business licences is transferred from ICCC to the
minister responsible, we are heading into a major crisis. Tammur,
a first time politician, is now being seen as a rubber stamp for
the Somare Government. No wonder he was the first independent to
set foot in Wewak. – Competition fan, Port Moresby
We need basic services
I REFER to the report “Cops warned on Yawari-Agiru row” (Oct 1).
The people of Southern Highlands province have been suffering
from the lack of basic services for the last 20 years. This is
because the political leaders cannot accept defeat. This is
evident with Hami Yawari going to the court. Please, enough is
enough. We need basic services to be delivered. If Yawari is a
real leader who have the people at heart, he should let Anderson
Agiru serve out his term and then launch his challenge in 2012.
If Agiru fails to deliver, then we will return Yawari in the
next election. – S. Yawe, Via email
National trade policy
lacking
I WOULD to raise my concern with regard to the absence of a
national trade policy and lack of its integration in our
national development plan, namely the medium term development
strategy (MTDS). I know that PNG has not formally adopted a
trade policy despite the fact that we are members of World Trade
Organisation and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. This has led
to trade not being mainstreamed into the MTDS effectively. It is
widely held in the international community that trade can help
alleviate poverty and some of the socio-economic problems in
developing economies like PNG. I believe trade has not been
placed high on the country’s development agenda resulting in
lack of effective coordination with the private sector to let
the economy grow and create jobs for our people. It’s high time
trade is given a higher priority. – Paul Kindua Martin,
Port Moresby
Adopt Look Everywhere
Policy
WE should not complain about the Look North Policy or Look South
Policy. Instead, we must look for better policies from all
directions, regardless of north, south, east or west. Papua New
Guinea is a least developed country and we should work to change
that tag. We must integrate our good cultural practices into
those adapted policies and develop a policy that best suits us.
We are just too poor to say we want the look north or south. We
must look everywhere for better policies. – Pauli Natizz,
Port Moresby
 
|
