Awareness on electing capable leaders vital

WITH only a few months before we go to the polls, intending candidates and incumbent MPs are busy drawing up strategies.
History has shown that 90% of the candidates in previous elections do not really understand the complexity involved in politics as one strives to become an MP.
Most candidates stand for perso­nal glory, tribal pride, opportunity to make money and other reasons that do not have any signi­ficance to national interest.
As a result, the country suffered from poor leadership for the past 36 years.
We need not to go far from our own electorate to understand this.
Take a look at what your elected representatives have achieved since self-government.
Are we enjoying a better living standard?
Are our roads better today than yesterday or is it the opposite?
Are we seeing tangible and sustainable development projects?
Is our lifestyle still the same?
The truth is many of our MPs have been building their own empires.
Their own interests come first, not the people’s.
I have had enough of our recycled leaders.
Voting along the tribal, clan, wantok, or family line must stop if we want to elect credible MPs.
Tertiary students and school-leavers must educate their families, relatives and wantoks about voting the best candidate.
Such awareness is vital if we want to change.
The working class too can make a big difference and should join in this awareness campaign.
Collective actions can transform how we elect our national leaders and it will in turn deliver us good, honest, transparent and accountable and intelligent leadership.
This may be the start of the new beginning.
 
Samson Wena
Kerowagi, Chimbu