2014: A year of national optimism

 ANY new beginning brings its share of optimism and expectations of bigger and better things. And 2014 is no different. 

From the family homes to business houses and the corridors of power, 2014 has arrived with similar optimism and expectations for greater achievements, success and prosperity.

At the political and government level, 2014 should be the year of actual implementation of policies, programmes and projects. 

The past 12 months was more a period of preparation, strategising and getting the service delivery machinery place. 

The National Government’s focus on the districts should become more visible this year with the full implementation of the District Services Improvement Programme (DSIP).

If all planning is funded and all DSIP money distributed without prejudice and political considerations, this will be the year when Waigani goes rural and turn ambitious district plans into reality for the majority of people living in the rural areas. 

Although there have been some progress made toward the end of last year as reported by the news media, there is a greater need for more infrastructure development and social services in the districts and local level government areas this year.

The government’s tuition free education policy was welcomed with open arms by struggling parents but a few hurdles remain for school authorities, especially with the increased enrolment of school-aged children.

It is envisaged that as free education rolls into the second year, some of those niggling issues will be ironed out in preparation for a smooth start to the new school year.

The free public healthcare promised by the O’Neill government will be implemented this year but access to these services by ordinary citizens remains a major problem given the limited capacity of our public health institutions.

There is optimism because the ExxonMobil-led Papua New Guinea Liquefied Natural Gas (PNG LNG) project, which is in the final phase construction and on schedule to export its first liquefied natural gas to its Asian customers by the end of this year.

This promises a massive boost in revenue for the National Government besides the billions of kina that the project developers have so far expended on construction, taxation, employment and other benefits to the country.

The preparations for the 2015 Pacific Games is another major development taking place with the start of construction of the games venues and associated facilities in  the nation’s capital. 

Despite the slow start to construction, the games organisers and Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko are confident of meeting the deadlines for completion by the start of the Games in the middle of next year.

It seems the Government has every reason to be optimistic of success this year, from the implementation of its policies and programmes such as the DSIP to the preparations for the 2015 Pacific Games.

Given the broad development aspirations of PNG Vision 2050 and the mid-term strategic development plan and shorter term plans such as 2014 annual budget itself, there is very little room for chance.  

The same is true for large corporate bodies and the smaller businesses which have their own long term targets and the annual budgets to guide them.

With all that level of planning what needs to be done is for us as individuals, companies or government departments to stick to those plans and implementing them for a successful and prosperous 2014 and beyond. 

The way ahead for Papua New Guinea looks all set for good things to come. 

What could possibly derail us are an act of the divine, a natural calamity or a global economic disaster such as the financial crisis experienced toward the end of the last decade.

Generally, nations and citizens shape their own destiny.  PNG should know where it is heading and what challenges lie ahead.

Barring any major hiccups, the country should make good strides over next 12 months. And the air of optimism is a good tonic for the start of a brand new year.