Looking after public property a job for all

IT is time we look after infrastructures, especially buildings built by the government, private sector, churches and donor agencies.
Wikipedia says infrastructure refers to the fundamental facilities and systems serving a country, city, or other area, including the services and facilities necessary for its economy to function.
Over the years, many people no matter how educated they are, have shown the no-care attitude towards such public infrastructures which services the whole community.
Infrastructure is composed of public and private physical improvements such as roads, bridges, tunnels, water supplies, sewers, electrical grids, and telecommunications.
In general, it has also been defined as “the physical components of interrelated systems providing commodities and services essential to enable, sustain, or enhance societal living conditions.
When there is a misunderstanding and unrest in the community, properties and projects worth thousands of kina are burnt down or destroyed.
Interesting enough is the observation from the Lae Catholic Diocese Bishop Rozario Menezes on people’s attitude.
During the opening a community hall in Lae he told those gathered that the hall was for the community. It is not for religious people like priests, nuns and brothers. It is a community hall for everyone in the society.
When people say something does not belong to them, they tend to destroy it or not taking care of it.
Also this week, we reported the Civil Aviation Minister Alfred Manasseh calling on the people of Hela to take ownership, appreciate and look after the Tari Wigman Airport once it is completed.
People over the years have had to go down to Mt Hagen to access airport services. Sometimes taking more than eight hours to get to Mt Hagen, because of the unsealed roads. Travellers face the risk of getting into motor vehicle accidents and getting mugged on the highway.
Papua New Guinea’s major towns and cities are experiencing an unprecedented level of growth in terms of the expansion of the economy and the size of the population.
With these rapid changes come the need to instil in the people a sense of pride and unity.
These are intellectual concepts but they are the key to keeping order and ensuring that people contribute in a positive way to the communities they live in.
There is a general mentality among the public that keeping the streets of our cities, towns and villages clean and in order is a job for the authorities.
The idea that maintaining order and peace and a balanced State in society is somehow the public service’s responsibility is not only regressive but detrimental to progress.
Taking care of the public walkways, roads and areas used by people of all walks of life on a daily basis is not entirely the State’s responsibility.
Those in authority find no joy in constantly appealing to people to be responsible.
Every city and town on the globe has its own issues to deal with including those in PNG.
In many instances, the societies that have made headway in achieving peaceful, progressive and harmonious existence are those that have strong and effective policing and a sound, fair justice system.
It is a generational change that will take place over time provided there is constant positive reinforcement of the right behaviour.