Father of victim wants all expats screened

By GABRIEL LAHOC
THE father of a missing crew member of the mv Rabaul Queen has urged the government to properly screen foreigners wanting to do business in the country.
Rev Oala Arua, whose son was the chief engineer on the vessel when it sank in rough seas on Feb 2 off Finchhafen coast, said the nation’s leaders must speak out against foreigners who compromised the lives of Papua New Guineans in their business operations.
Arua has also called on the PNG Ports Corporation to re-open Buka port and for a proper policy on bilateral and multi-lateral recognition agreements for seafarers under the international maritime organisation.
He welcomed the “strong language” used by John Momis, the president of the Autonomous Bougainville Government against shipowner Peter Sharp.
“At least some people in high leadership positions can detect the contemptuous behaviour of expatriates who have become naturalised citizens of PNG, just to make a profit,” he said.
“PNG’s decision-makers must now wake up and properly screen people before granting residential permits and other rights.
“The country’s leaders are no longer bush-kanakas. We are educated and should be proud of our heritage. We must not be afraid to do things our way.”
He suggested that strong measures be taken against “corporate crooks” including the freezing of their bank accounts, revocation of their citizenship and even expulsion from the country.
“As a nation, we should refuse them legal protection as it is better than calling PNG a Christian country while entertaining corruption,” he said.
He said the burning of the three vessels in Bougainville was “PNG’s way of sending a strong message of communal frustration”.
“It did not take place immediately. It took a while for the people to make that decision which I regard as quite civilised,” he said.
But he did not agree with the threat to close the Buka port.