Corruption in PNG

WE all know that Corruption is rife in Papua New Guinea.
PNG’s governments are notorious for corruption, and ever run the risk of turning the country into a fully-fledged kleptocracy.
Political corruption is largely enforced by political nepotism and the patronage system of governance.
Elected leaders are inclined to seize and distribute resources amongst their electorates in order to secure and maintain popular support.
This system of governance is embedded in Melanesian traditions, where the credibility and popularity of a leader amongst his electorate is defined, in part, by the wealth he is able to distribute and the power he is able to wield.
This problem has been compounded, in PNG, by the model of ‘politician-turned-businessman’ which has dominated the post-1975 political landscape and has muddied the distinctions between business and politics, allowing politicians to divert public monies into their personal accounts.
A review of medium-sized businesses in PNG showed that the majority are owned or part-owned by current or former politicians.
Misappropriation of funds by public officials are happening at day light in Port Moresby, which observed that government revenues from industry had “served more to enrich the political elite than to provide social services or infrastructure.
There are no large-scale local businessmen, but numerous politicians are relatively well off.
PNG has enormous resource potential through its natural endowments in mineral deposits, petroleum, forestry, fishing and tourism.
However, our national revenues from the extractive industries had been widely dissipated through official corruption, without leaving any discernible positive impact on the wider population.
The conflict between Melanesian traditions of ‘sharing and caring’ and anti-bribery legislation is often brought into relief during the election cycle.
Former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill when he was in power introduced in parliament a twenty-year corruption strategy, cited the following common corrupt acts by government officials and bureaucrats:

• Paying bribes to acquire preferential service or treatment;
• theft of public money and illegal acquisition of assets by abusing a position of authority;
• breaching procurement processes;
• conflict of interest in decision making; and,
• Nepotism resulting in the recruitment and retention of unqualified staff.

Because of prevalent corruption, and despite a budget surplus, the national wealth has failed to flow down to the people.
If the Marape Government is not serious about fighting corruption in PNG will be a poor nation due to the absolute confusion and corruption of the government.
The reason as to why such a great country with one of the highest GDP in Pacific Region with a massive oil and gas sector (mining) and strong agriculture background is now facing economy crisis this is because of the decades of corruption that has hit this country hard.
The problem is mainly the government.
I do want to see the current PNG Government all to work together to fight corruption.
Goals and great success can only be achieved if the government of the day fight and stick together. If the government eradicated corruption and create a strong leadership trust me, PNG will be great as never before.
If the Marape Government is not serious about fighting corruption in PNG, this government will not archive its goal as a first rich black nation, which I believe is only a dream if none of the above is seriously addressed at the national level.

Ian Aima Serege
Samari Kona