‘Ownership essential’

THE country needs to deal with leadership and ownership issues if it wishes to eliminate violence against women, children and even men, National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop said.
He said there were laws in place to punish those who committed crimes of violence but implementation was poor.
He blamed the situation on poor leadership and added that to change, all parties must get involved.
“It cannot be left to the police, women’s groups, NGOs or the judicial system,” he said at a three-day symposium on “Culture and violence – Melanesian Philosophy of Human Dignity” at the Divine Word University in Madang last week.
Mr Parkop said Port Moresby was like a mini-PNG because people from all ethnic groups lived there.
He said as the governor, he was doing his best to address and overcome all the challenges of the capital city, including violence.
Mr Parkop said the police had a difficult task with people who have attitude problems and not cooperating with the authorities.
“If people do not take ownership of the city then they would not care about addressing problems like violence, littering and spitting betelnut in public places.
“How can the city look after us if we do not care for the city?
“Ownership as well as leadership are lacking to implement it (law).
“If we don’t take ownership, leadership won’t work.”
Madang Governor Sir Arnold Amet said all forms of violence were reprehensive and had no place in modern day PNG.
“It will take greater ownership and leadership in eradicating this behaviour,” he said.