Implement systems, says Siaguru

PAPUA New Guinea spends millions on perfecting its systems, processes and procedures, yet, it is poor and inefficient in implementation and getting down to the nitty-gritty, University of Natural Resources and Environment Vice-Chancellor Prof Philip Siaguru says.
He told the fourth annual science and technology conference, under way at the university, “the beacon and underlying truth is that our natural resources and wealth for the future generation is already under our feet.
“The skills we possess as humans are natural, yet, we kept on looking, searching, making excuses and passing the buck.
“In his New Year message, Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal said 2011 is the year of implementation and, six months later, government agencies are waiting for funds or finalising tender documents and research papers,” he said.
“When will we put our heads down and work?
“When will policy makers stop bringing in foreign experts and listen to the heartbeat of the truth that is under our feet?”
Siaguru said the theme of the conference, “Application of science and technology for sustainable utilisation of natural resources”, provoked researchers to re-think their position as young thinkers and young minds of this nation on how they could provide and guide policy makers into reinvesting and sustaining renewable resources.
“That collective truth and knowledge is seated here in this hall in this conference.”
Siaguru said the time had come to pour the millions earned from the LNG project into the education sector, research and development across training institutions so that these resources could keep the nation ticking.
He supported Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare’s reference to Vision 2050 when he said PNG had, for too long been swimming on the back of rhetoric and ad hoc decision-making processes that did not reflect government policy objectives.
“This reflects badly on PNG’s development goals and priorities, thus, leaving our majority population with minimum or no economic decisions or options to become key players in the socio-economic well-being of our country,” Siaguru said.