Find root cause that slows development

CRITICAL analysis is needed to ascertain every aspects of why development frequency is occurring at a snail’s pace in this resource rich nation.
This slow facet of development should be thoroughly investigated and identified before forging new dreams and ideologies.
The government needs to ask some serious questions why people are complaining of not receiving basic services and so forth.
Developments are lacking, was it because of the corrupt practices by some greedy individuals?
Or was it due to overstepping of roles and responsibilities, such as MPs as legislators interfering with public servants roles?
Or was it because of the geographical landscape and remoteness that caught our government in suspense due to the high cost?
Do we have clear, transparent and secure policies smoothly and transparently guiding services without meddling from Waigani down to the village and ward levels or weak and insecure policies that can be easily manipulated by fraudsters to see services and funding intercepted and redirected for personal use?
Civil servants engaged at provincial and district level, are they executing their duties diligently and transparently?
The National Statistical Office, the lead agency in data collection, are they feeding the government with correct information or giving scrambled figures?
This current house, both government and opposition need to sit together and critically look into this situation and identify the gap, loop holes and leakages before proposing new ideas and philosophies to take this country forward.
We understand that this is not an overnight job or an easy task, but at least both sides of the house should work in unison to address this situation.
We are rich and well over 40 years of independence and yet we are still poor.
It is evident people are still complaining about lack of basic government services.
High cost of service delivery in remote constituencies is another factor.
All these are triggered by geographical landscape so concerned districts should receive larger portion of Services Improvement Programme funds rather than receiving the same amount.
Take stock of what is okay, what is half baked and what thoroughly needs to be fixed.
Make policies secure from fraud and traceable after the disbursement of public funds.
The Government needs to step up on its public money auditing system.
Millions have gone missing and undetected due to the inefficiency of public money auditing system.
Corruption is really derailing service delivery and full support should be given to Public Accounts Committee in terms of funding to follow up and check every trail of public funds.
Another thing, the government should do away with insecure and outdated laws. Policies not working should be rebooted and redirected to suit current standards.
Policies governing our natural resources; agriculture, mineral and gas, forest, sea and marine resources, employment security and workers welfare both public and private sector.
Taxation system; corporate taxes, workers personal income tax, tariffs, levies duties etc… should be revamped.
It’s time for the government and opposition to work hand in hand.
Put political differences aside and start to identify the challenges and save this country.

Hanam Bill Sandu,
Observer, Lae