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The National, Monday 22nd April 2013
OUR government has decided to give K50 million to Fiji for its general election scheduled for September next year. Apparently this is to ensure that Fiji returns to a parliamentary democracy. While that all sounds good, we can only sympathise with the children who have no proper classrooms, and the people in general who have to brave swift-flowing rivers, do without medicines, and see their vegetables rot because of poor transport infrastructure. Never mind too that Fiji has not been particularly friendly towards the import of PNG-made goods.
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INTERESTING to note also that sometime last year, NCDC said as much as they wish to patch potholes in the city immediately, the materials they use need warm climate to apply so that it could last. So, while we wait for the warm climate to hit the city, more rain falls and the potholes get bigger.
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TRADE and Industry Minister Richard Maru was straight up with his challenge to the Fijian prime minister and his trade delegation. He warned Fiji that if it did not invest soon, it would be beaten by competitors. After being the minister for eight months, he told the trade and investment mission that he has had visits from Japan, New Zealand, China, Taiwan, South Korea and lately India.
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WONDER what is happening to the ban on smoking in public places. The ban came about during former health minister Jamie Maxtone-Graham’s time. Wonder if the current minister will take it up and see it through. Last year, health officials said meetings were taking place and it might take a while before it could be enforced. Looks like it will be another paper collecting dust on the shelf.
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WHAT about the foot patrol programme that was being planned to be reintroduced in Port Moresby? Are the police waiting for manpower resource before they introduce it? The people need to feel police presence on the streets and at the community level.
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FOR a long time now, motorists in Port Moresby have not been obeying traffic lights. Some nasty accidents have occurred as a result but motorists continue with their errant ways. What do you do when you see these cowboys driving through right in front of policemen who appear not to even bat an eyelid? We suppose one could take the attitude of; if you can’t beat them, join them. The police chiefs may want to consider the same.
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A reminder to everyone to demonstrate the value of trust, respect and honour. Children learn more by watching than by listening. If we want our children to understand and value trust, they know it by watching how adults live their lives! If we want the children to be respectful, they will observe what the adults do and say to each other. We need to walk our talk. We need to remember the children are watching.