Consult people before passing laws

The National Letters

I AM calling on Prime Minister James Marape and Pangu Pati-led government to consult the people of Papua New Guinea about the proposed law to abolish the provincial and local level governments before passing it.
Papua New Guineans should be allowed to publicly debate the proposed law and if possible, vote on it, before it is tabled in parliament.
We should not allow a few politicians and educated elites to dictate and push government hidden agendas forward without any meaningful consultations.
Our constitution supports a three-tier government system – national, provincial and district or local level government – which binds us together as a united country.
Any new law that defies the constitution must be screened properly.
The political indications of the proposed law to abolish the provincial and local level government will mean PNG is heading towards a republic system and introductions of the upper and lower house of representatives whereby only the governors will represent the provinces in the Upper House (parliament) and the Open Electorate MPs to serve on a state government at the provincial governments and getting rid of the LLG presidents, councilors and ward development committees.
This country has over 800 languages, 23 provinces and 89 districts which politically and administratively remains a problem to our government and we should not rush into any new concepts and models of government.
Our people need to be educated on government systems and decide on what is in their best interest.
I appeal to Marape to please listen to the people first instead of only few elite advisers.

Samson C Napo
Buang LLG Bulolo

One thought on “Consult people before passing laws”

  • It is TRUE that our current political heads must take this into serious consideration.
    All citizens has the RIGHT to debate and give their views and opinions on the proposed bill.
    After all its the people that will BENEFIT or suffer from what bills passed.
    The CPC that was formulated had followed through the process of public consultations in all regions befors THE constitution was made debated and amended and became a law…
    I am supporting the BUANG LLG PRESIDENT Samson and say that PNG IS a christian nation and what decisions made must be even.

    Riga PHILIP President finschhafen district students association UOG.

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