Despite the boom, poverty has worsened

PAPUA New Guinea has never experienced a time of economic boom like today.
Today PNG is seen as a country with a fast-growing economy.
The gold and copper mines, petroleum and gas and other natural resources have profoundly impacted the projection rate of economic growth. 
With the multi-billion kina investment on the LNG project, the world is watching closely because this will become an influence in the projection rate of a country’s economic growth.
As expected, it has brought about some effects and the kina has appreciated in value.
Nevertheless, of greater concern is whether the increased revenue has benefitted the people in general.
How will this generated wealth fund from projected economic growth be transformed into tangi-ble development to alleviate poverty?
Indications are that the level of poverty has not only gone bad, but has worsened.
People are hapless in numerous instances when faced with poor li­ving conditions and circumstances.
The level of poverty encountered in everyday situation is a constant burden.
Papua New Guinea is a poor country although it is blessed with rich natural resources.
The people are facing the detrimental effects of poverty.
The majority of the population live in the rural areas and they are suffering.
The groans, pains and challenges everyday encountered by the very people of this land, whether they are living in cities, town, districts or villages, are saddening.
And it is happening in the 21st century.
The cost of living is high.
It is consequently eating away the little income or savings that the people have.
In such a depressing environment, there is little opportunity and motivation for the people to im­prove their quality of living.
They battle every day just to survive.
Anxious mothers regularly have to fight for their lives and those of their loved ones as they  cannot afford to meet medical expenses .
Health stations are few and access to them is difficult.
The poor state of health is undermining the health and safety of the people.
It is the wealth of the people of Papua New Guinea.
The bonus should be for the people to benefit from.
It should be for the people for it belongs to the people of PNG.
It is about time Papua New Gui­neans  live a better life.
It is about time people live a prosperous and successful life.
They deserve to do so.

Mossman Keten
Lae