Finschhafen, don’t forget our values

I CONVEY my appreciation to Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu for involving the Morobe government and people at the Great Grand Chief the late Sir Michael Thomas Somare’s haus krai in Port Moresby and at his funeral and burial in Wewak, East Sepik.
This was done in respect to Sir Michael’s long steadfast political, education, social and personal relationship with Morobe, its leaders and its people.
Sir Michael’s relationship with Morobe was special as he was the founding father of our nation, a national icon and deserved to be respected in such solemn manner.
I thank my people of Finschhafen, especially the Yabem and our respected community leaders such as chief Boyamo Sali and Giusu Labi who were there on our behalf and had lamented well in the haus krai at the Prince Charles Oval in Wewak.
Their presence in Wewak among representatives from other provinces to pay respect to the great leader should make people realise how the Sepiks value selflessness, truth, honesty and integrity.
These values culminate qualities and values of profound political leadership at all levels of government.
The Sepiks have provided solid, stable and fearless political foundation on which their sons have stood on to deliver leadership with dignity.
The nation saw that in Sir Michael and now we see it in Richard Maru, East Sepik Governor Allan Bird, West Sepik Governor Tony Wouwou, Aitape-Lumi MP Patrick Pruaitch, Opposition Leader and Vanimo-Green MP Belden Namah and Agriculture and Livestock Minister and Maprik MP John Simon.
Our people, no doubt, were exploited by our Morobe leaders.
Deputy Prime Minister and Bulolo MP, Sam Basil, after taking the Pangu Pati leadership, went all over Morobe, including Kamlaua village in Finschhafen, and sought the support of the province to vote the party and its candidate in the 2017 national election.
Morobe provided substantial Pangu members to bring back Pangu presence in Parliament.
Basil, without the respect for the solidarity shown by the Morobe people that he acquired, threw the people’s mandate away. Basil lacks certain leadership skills as indicated by his failure for not forging, fostering and harnessing unity with his then-Pangu national executive committee.
He dumped the leadership on Saonu without apologising to the people of Morobe and moved on.
Basil then intruded into the Melanesian Alliance Party leadership chair only to raise alarm from another son of Sepik, Wosera-Gawi MP Joseph Yopyyopy, that there was no vacancy.
Such leadership style has been inconsistent as there is no commitment.
It lacks appropriate principles and, consequently, leaves traces of dishonesty, dubious and weakens the fabric of trust among our people.
The Morobe people’s sweat and labour to bring Pangu Pati back to life in Parliament was betrayed by Basil.
Morobe saw the party leadership traded away on a “golden plate”.
Finschhafen people must now be sensitive to men like Sam Basil and leaders he is acquainted with.
We must not be used and dumped again.
It is alleged that Finschhafen is currently plagued with “play money” culture to influence and lure political support.
The community leaders and the people need to stamp out this evil that has penetrated the fabric of our society.
The negative effects of such doing in the long run, would see good governance, transparency and accountability thrown out the window by those responsible.
Our people will fall victim.
As we look into the past, we recall the patriarchs of Finschhafen in the Yabem area namely Somu, Balip, Tengeng, Mesa, Amos, Kayaoka, Tukiki, Namoa, Yaolasi, Dawidi, Salamo, Nalau, Saki, Stoesal, Nayala, Kasup, Giamata, Laina, Busim, Yabo, Yasiling, Gaigaming, Katuc, Puyom and others; the Zurenuocs, Lingnoge, Hesingut, Hasavic, Bakung, Miringnoge, Sanangkeoc, Sengeroc, Amoc, Fuawec, Juju, Gezo, Zure, Sali, Desiang, Horing, Nidung, Matang, Bengang, Bosakanu, Tasin, Umbingkec, Fubac, Habiloc, Zazeng, Raunukac, Kenong, Sabec, Kemung, Buko, Botieng, Gapenuoc, Kalaung, Tutumang, Narekicne, Embe, Sakaing and others in the Kotte area; Wama, Singiliong, Kangiong, Taunam, Liko, Ferling, Sinoling, Genora, Siawong, Mugeranang, Kativa, Shong, Winiong, Palai, Soctine, and others in the Mongi area; and, Zozingao, Sembong, Ronga, Kosieng, Soreckicne, Maiguo, Gunemba, Jaba, Ebu, Panga, Kewere, Qangung, Simeong, Kamoang, Wabing, Tomagao, Kamewa, Fongaoc, Nozu, Wanga, Gelongang, Taningen, Taunabeng.
Others in the Upper Mape area include Key, Biwa, Dembeng, Gemoctang, Hofagao, Rubiang, Gepung, Oberong, Soneang, Tapec, Dopecnu, Itiring, Boko, Bogic, Sorenuc, Songangnuc.
There are some in the Lower Mape area in the likes of Mionzing, Mandang, Tara, Matu, Laviong, Lontongia, Pebac, Kaima and others in the Burum Kuat area, were all men of standing in their own rights despite their simplicities.
These patriarchs ensured their children were properly educated.
The fear of Anutu and the conviction of doing things right were deeply embedded in their conduct.
Why should the people of Finschhafen overlook the pillars and foundation our fathers and forefathers had built for us to stand on?
We should continue their legacy and not reduce ourselves to be puppets for the lust money and material goods.
Why should the people of Finschhafen allow certain outsiders and crooks invade and exploit our leadership heritage without respecting who we are?
I urge all our sons and daughters to put on our thinking caps, put our petty differences aside and unite and phase out the “money and cargo” style of politics currently in play.
We must learn from the Sepiks and treasure the defined leadership qualities our patriarchs had embraced based on Anutu’s principles and the teaching and faith of the Lutheran church and make a meaningful change this time.

Emmanuel Allen Mungu