Ecomomic independence

IN eleven weeks, Papua New Guinea will celebrate its 45th year of political independence.
The nation would love to celebrate its economic independence but that isn’t possible, even in our lifetime.
Economic independence is beyond our reach.
You only have to reflect on the way PNG economy has been managed over the years and today’s world economic shifts, to agree.
Where did we go wrong? How can we right the wrongs now?
What chances and opportunities are there to capitalise on?
What are the workable policies and strategies?
Serious questions like these need to be asked by the government to turn things around from serious economic crisis to quick recovery.
Then stabilise and build a very strong and sustainable economy.
Almost four and a half decades of toil and sweat have not brought the country anywhere nearer to economic self-reliance and independence.
The problem will not go away and so we have to get very, very serious now.
A former Lae MP, Bart Philemon, tearfully admitted that he failed the nation during his time as a politician representing the people of Lae.
This is something that the former prime ministers won’t humbly admit.
We love the “big man status”, which is why it is much harder for leaders to admit their wrongdoings.
Papua New Guineans salute you Philemon for your humility and honesty.
Economic independence must now be the talking point of all Members of Parliament on both sides of the House.
Team up, if you will and chart the achievable economic independence pathways.
Prime Minister James Marape is serious about tackling and turning this legacy issue around.
Besides being the legislators, Members of Parliament will do well to be broadly skilled to contribute their best share of efforts towards realising our dreams.
How the MPs perform is dependent on their repertoire of skills. Managing executives of government businesses, service organisations and private companies are highly educated and skilled.
The success of the service and corporate organisations they lead and manage, are a testament to their ingenuity and productivity.
Likewise, the Parliamentary roles being the highest on the land should be on people’s radar. In order to get the best out of MPs they have to be highly educated and primed for their roles.
They should at minimum, have bachelor’s degree qualifications in economics, business management, law, political science, and specialists in engineering, geo-science, mining, agriculture, fisheries, etc.
In addition to these, they should also master complementary skills in critical thinking, public speaking, business planning, human resources, and time management and uphold ethical and moral values, attend a church, have stable non-polygamous families, have no dual citizenship and have not committed fraud crimes or money-related misdemeanors.
Unlike other types of leaders, political leaders are servants of the people, voted in to do errands with undivided commitment.
The thinking Papua New Guineans have seen enough shortfalls to call for the sanctioning of rules to make Members of Parliament more versatile.
Hopefully, that would get all Papua New Guineans closer to realising this shared goal of achieving economic independence and to play their part.

MM ONDASSA
TAURAMA, NCD