Employ locals to tackle social issues

FROM the time we got independence from Australia on Sept 16, 1975, there has been continuous changes in the infrastructure developments of towns and cities.
We have blended into the western culture as the result of globalisation that promotes the idea of international relations.
Through our multilateral partnership with other countries, we were privileged to have international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that continually assist to address many issues in the country.
I take this time to thank them for their helping hand.
Now let me stress my point on what I have been observing.
Many NGOs use our problems and make money out of them.
Most consultants hired are expatriates.
They are paid high salaries because many managing directors of these NGOS are expatriates and they hire other expatriates to capitalise on our problems to make money.
This is unfair.
Why not engage Papua New Guineans and monitor their work because they are capable to help fellow Papua New Guineans.
NGOs are trying to provide solutions to our problems but social issues are still on the rise.
Why didn’t our Government provide assistance to Papua New Guineans to build safe houses and other social institutions to help local communities solve growing social issues?
Our Government has shifted its focus to NGOs with funds thinking they (NGO’s) know the answers to all the problems that are Papua New Guinean by nature.
Despite that, the country has ongoing social issues such as violence against women, HIV/Aids infection rate increasing, sorcery-related killings, child abuse, etc.
These social problems were not created overseas; they are happening in our local communities.
They are PNG problems!
Answers to these problems lie with the Papua New Guineans themselves.
The Government should turn to sustainable community-based institutions to help people, through teaching them basic life skills in agriculture, cooking, sewing and provision of advocacy.
We may be quick to ask where we would get skilled people to help in technical areas.
The answer to this question is that our universities and colleges have been producing talented and highly knowledgeable Papua New Guineans.
Why not let them to go down to the communities and help the people?
Do not underestimate Papua New Guineans.
They are capable.
They know the answers to their own problems.
Engage more social workers, health workers and teachers, etc., in rural areas.
Give them bonus pay so they can go out and help their follow Papua New Guineans in a Melanesian way.
International NGOs may have the money but they do not have land.
If our communities change then the country will see the true meaning of change.
Our communities will be free from social issues.
The NGOs take our problems and paint a bad picture to other countries at international discussions and with other bodies.

Observer PNG Em Mi yah,
Jungle Camp,
Aiyura