Goodbye 2021, welcome 2022

PRIME Minister James Marape has reminded the nation of the “impeccable qualities” of national icons who died during the year, urging voters to elect equally great leaders in the 2022 general election.
In his New Year message, Marape spoke of how the people would remember the leadership qualities of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, Sir Mekere Morauta, Sir Silas Atopare and Sir Paulias Matane.
“You hold one of the greatest powers given to man – the power to elect a government, a man or woman to represent you. Because of this, the responsibility you bear is just as great,” he said.
“Elect leaders based on merit – and merit alone.”

IALIBU-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill says 2021 has been one of the nation’s darkest years, with more than K51 billion debt amassed and the only plan to increase income is by taxing people more.
He apologised to the nation, saying he had “acted in good faith to humbly resign (as prime minister) in May 2019, thinking that the change that was asked for would be youthful and move us forward faster than my government could”.
“I have, like you, been bitterly disappointed in the performance of the Marape-led government over the past 31 months,” he said.
“I am sorry to have not fully understood the cargo cult mentality, lack of common sense and absence of integrity that now identifies (this) Government.
“I have been surprised at how fast they have managed to undo years of hard work of not just my government, but also those that came before me.
“Economically, we are in one heck of a mess with debt at over K51 billion, and no plan to increase income except to tax our people more.”
O’Neill said crime and violence in Port Moresby and around the country were “out of control”.
“The law is routinely abused and manipulated for political gain. Corruption, nepotism, and greed are worse, and our economic, health and social unrest had made us a laughing stock in the region,” he said.
But O’Neill urged the people to look forward to “a brighter 2022”.
He said: “We have much to be proud of. Our culture is one of the most vibrant and is evolving still.
“Our country is blessed with natural resources more than adequate to meet our needs.
“We are blessed to have a democratic system of government in the Commonwealth, and our neighbours are peaceful. Our prospects could not be better.”
He reminded the people of how the world’s largest nations responded to the nation’s potential during the 2018 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Summit in Port Moresby.
“Opening up new ways of doing business with old and new trading partners, and billions of Kina flooded in to help our country access electricity, digitise and evolve,” he said.
“But we have failed since then to capitalise on these development opportunities. There really is nothing to stop us reaching our potential but ourselves.”
He said 2021 would be remembered as a year of “rapidly going backwards”.
“We are all looking forward to a brighter 2022. I am confident it will be a year of positive change.
“We must fight for our children and for PNG.”