Focus on agriculture
FOR many years, the Waghi Mek plantation was the major agricultural player and provider for the people of Waghi. Unfortunately, it has lost it glory days and North Waghi is no longer a safe place. Unemployment is high, drug addicts are roaming the place and many basic infrastructure are deteriorating. The MP is unable to do much. The Government has talked about reviving agriculture but nothing has been done towards that end. It cannot hope on the mineral boom forever; it is non-renewable. Agriculture is the backbone of this country and must remain so. – Esney Jinghan, via email

Dame Carol is a champion
I COMMEND Dame Carol Kidu for carrying the torch in the fight against violence on women. I call on all good PNG Christians to stand up and uphold the “Good strong Christian family home principle”. When we uphold this principle, it will kill off many other problems that men are trying to resolve. What Mum Kidu is doing is of utmost importance to the future of PNG. – Sierra Whisky, via email

Clean your backyard, Wenge!
LUTHER Wenge should clean up Lae city first. He is like an empty drum making a lot of noise. Lae city is the second largest in PNG. It is an industrial city but its road infrastructure is extremely poor compared to other cities. A leader has to make sure his own backyard is well looked after before telling others to clean their backyards. What a disgrace to see Lae city filled with potholes everywhere and yet Wenge is barking at other unnecessary issues. – A disgrace, via email

Review MTDS progress
THE MTDS has not been achieved. Patrick Pruaitch and Paul Tiensten must set up a MTDS review committee and see what we have achieved so far over the last five years. We cannot just spend another K8 billion in the name of Medium Term Development Strategy without knowing what we are getting ourselves into. I just hope that the money is spent on sustainable development projects initiated by the community and NGOs. – Last market, Port Moresby

Clean up trash city
I WANT to express my distress, disgust and abhorrence over the way in which City Hall allows residents to turn Port Moresby into a trash city with uncontrolled selling of buai and blatant littering. The illegal construction of structures used by buai vendors also contributes to the rise of raskols and consumption of alcohol. These will lead to harassments and rapes. When will we hear from Governor Parkop on what he intents to do to address these problems? – RKB, Port Moresby

Parkop response commended
I WOULD like to commend the efforts of NCD Governor Powes Parkop to reach out to the people of Oro and setting up the NCD coordination centre for the disaster. You have shown that you are a true leader. I believe that if we have more leaders like you, PNG will be a better place to be. Keep up the good work. – Mister Bee, via email

Thoughts of Oro from NZ
THE PNG students in New Zealand would like to express our sympathy to all our families and friends who have suffered because of the recent flood. We are doing our best to collect clothing and raise funds for the people of Oro. We pray God will give you all strength to pull through during this tough time. We also thank all those who have given their support and contribution. May God bless you all. – Francis Dira, New Zealand

Practise what you preach
JOHN Howard and Alexander Downer have been castigating Papua New Guinean politicians over the years for the latter’s flagrant misappropriation of public funds.
They correctly brand this as corruption.
But now the Australian auditor-general’s report on the regional partnerships programme reveal that Howard government ministers may have been engaging in similar practices.
Corruption seriously undermines good governance wherever it rears its evil head.
Australian officials have proposed that corrupt PNG politicians should first be jailed and then barred from public life forever.
This is an excellent recommendation.
If it’s good for Papua New Guinea, it’s also good for Australia.
The rorting of the RPP should see its perpetrators barred from Australian public life forever. -Allan Patience,
Nightcliff, NT