Continue upholding the constitution

THE important foundations our constitution was founded upon are equality and participation.
The constitution’s preamble goal two outlines that all citizens have an equal opportunity to participate in, and benefit from the development of this country.
The design of our constitution was based upon declarations and goal two is one of them.
Prior to engraving those laws, our forefathers called for an equal opportunity for every citizen to take part in the political, economic, social, religious and cultural life of this country.
The creation of political structures should be effective and must enable people to meaningfully …… participate in all aspect of development.
The current move by the Government to decentralise important decision making powers and service delivery structures to provincial level is commendable.
Our forefathers upheld that principle (preamble goal 2) of equality and participation.
It was truly implemented and I must use my home province, East Sepik, as an example.
East Sepik did not and never experienced any major development under the reign of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.
Sir Michael never gave first preference to his home province in terms of development from the time he became the first prime minister of Papua New Guinea until his retirement in politics.
East Sepik remains the same.
Even his own village that he grew up in, there is no development.
I have been to Sir Michael’s village.
Because of equality and participation, he never put his own interest first.
That mentality that our forefathers such as Sir Michael had should not change.

Hanam Bill Sandu
Lae