Change attitudes to see change

I EXPRESS my views farewelling 2019 and how citizens need to behave to compliment the government’s call to ‘Take Back PNG’.
It is a policy call, a higher vision if you like, for all institutions, agencies, society and the nation at large to realign institutional plans away from the conventional and traditional modus operandi in development in the last 47 years.
The country has stood tall among nations and we have done well.
But what we really need to ask is: “Why are we lacking behind in all these development efforts and its international engagement as a nation?”
Papua New Guineans need to reassess and individually check ourselves and ask: “Have we really changed given the long journey in time after independence?
“Why is there no trust as a nation? Why are we not trusted by our close neighbors? Is it only because of corruption?”
No, it can’t be!
There are other reasons as well.
Some of these basic questions need to be asked and we should give good answers. Answers that will transform this country!
As a citizen, I have generally observed that we are not trusted.
Husbands don’t trust wives, and vice versa and neighbours or even tribesmen don’t trust each other!
Earning trust among ourselves seem a very tough task.
The other basic element that needs improvement among citizens is respect.
Respect for our fellow citizens and the rule of law and law enforcement.
Than the most sickening of all is the citizens’ attitude problem.
Papua New Guineans needs to completely do a post-mortem individually.
Unless and until that is improved, we will continue to face this daunting task of pushing development to the next level.
In 2020, I urge every citizens to support the government by doing a radical shift individual attitudes.
We need to change our attitudes and love our citizens like we love ourselves so we, as a country, can embrace the PM’s development call to take back PNG. We just need to change our attitude and improve in respect and trust of our fellow citizens.
The government too, using its instruments of government needs to put emphasis in the change of attitudes among citizens – both educated and ordinary citizens to do the small things right in attitude change to transform PNG.

Koreken Levi,
Bureaucrat and Lawyer