Impending drought bigger issue than political fiasco

 THE dry spell is going to have a big impact on the lives of many people in this country. 

So, everyone living on areas prone to be badly or severely affected by the imminent drought must be prepared for it, especially those living in places known as the kunai ples, mainly the flat lands of PNG. 

Some things that can be done are:

• Start planting drought-resistant crops like cassava, yam, etc; 
• Not to damage or misuse watering holes or wells used for drinking and keeping animals away from them;
• Not to harvest drought-resistant crops unnecessarily;
• Avoid burning of bush or wild land unnecessarily as it may result it adding more smoke and heat to the already warm atmosphere; and,
• Avoid chopping down trees unnecessarily.

Forget about the things we ordinary citizens cannot control like the current events surrounding Peter O’Neill. 

Let him solve his problem with those who will benefit more. 

As poor, neglected citizens, we must be more concerned with something about to severely affect us in the near future. 

Take precautions and think about things that are of utmost importance to our lives. 

The government will not be able to be right there on our doorsteps when we are in need of fresh water and food if we are being struck by the dry spell. 

Take into account the warning of scientists as their call for us to be prepared for the prolonged dry spell should be taken seriously and action must be taken positively. 

This is the most important thing to be talked about rather than spending our precious time and effort talking about things that is far from real to the simple lives of ordinary people. 

The dry spell may last even longer than the previous one a few years back as it has already been felt in some places, especially in kunai places of EHP where the soil has turned to cement, the water level has fallen dramatically in rivers and bushes are burning all over the place. 

Please act responsibly and think wisely before wasting precious time on something way beyond our scope of reasoning. 

Ghoni Neta

Goroka