Corruption is endemic

THERE has been gross corruption and mismanagement in the country.
Corruption is endemic and systematic.
Debt is over 30 of GDP and twice the revenue.
Foreign reserve is down to less than a quarter of what was in early 2000.
In the recent past, there has been a circus that went around from Port Moresby to Goroka and then to Madang.
One group of MPs was following the other.
One group was saying one thing and the other was saying the opposite, thus confusing the people.
During the process, the prime minister was heard saying that there was so much corruption in Waigani.
There has been a lot of discussions in the social media on issues affecting the country in support for both the Government and the Opposition.
The prime minister must come out clear and tell the people what the current state of the nation is like.
Under the current Government, there have been some big events like the Pacific Games and the Apec meeting.
Though there have been some developments, most were restricted to certain regions of the country with some white elephant projects and inflated contracts.
There have been so many disappointments on deteriorating infrastructure, increase in prices of goods and services, medicine shortage, controllable sickness outbreak and so on.
On top of that, we had election- related issues in Mendi and Kundiawa, criminals fighting with police in Alotau, ethnic conflict in Popendetta, and demonstration of anger by security forces for not getting their Apec allowances in Port Moresby.
At the same time, unqualified people have been appointed to head Government organisations while MPs were pointing figures and engaging in blame game on critical issues.
I take this opportunity, on behalf of my fellow Papua New Guineans, to both request and challenge the Media Council of PNG to organise a debate between the Opposition and the Government.
The debate should be covered by live TV for everybody throughout the country to watch.
I challenge the Oppositions in the likes of Madang MP Bryan Kramer and Prime Minister O’Neil for a single or a series of live debate on TV.
The topic or subject of the debate would centre on the economy, corruption, policies, etc.
The Media Council may determine what topic would be best for them to debate, depending on the number of debates that they may agree on.
Both the Opposition and the Government, or the respective MPs, may argue that they do debate during Parliament sessions.
However, I doubt that the debates in Parliament are dynamic.
Most people may agree that what is debated in parliament is not vigorous and would prefer a face off on the TV.
As leaders, they should be up front and face this challenge.
This will also be an opportunity for each MPs to take the time to stare at each other in the eyes, in front of the camera, and tell each other who is lying and who is not.
I dare you to take the challenge.

MPoyieh