Looting signals people’s discontent: Wenge

By JACINTA COHLEE
PAPUA New Guinea does not allow an uprising of its citizens but recent riots in Port Moresby and similar attempts in other centres are indicative of the people’s attitude, says an official.
Morobe Governor Luther Wenge said the country had never experienced such a singular instance of unrest where police in Port Moresby staged a protest over a supposed pay cut on Wednesday (Jan 10) sparking a series of lootings across the nation’s capital and attempts made in other centres over a 48 hour period. Wenge said the promise at Independence (Sept 16, 1975) was to be a sovereign nation that could manage itself and prosper.
He said that promise was forgotten by successive governments as the country sunk further into debt despite having adequate natural resources “while people are suffering and paying taxes to the government.”
“Those governments should have strengthened agriculture and invested more there because that is the only thing that we have 100 per cent control over which will definitely grow the country’s economy.” He said the uprising occurred following an “unexplained” pay cut for public servants, including the disciplined forces, but this was only the spark for underlying tensions and frustrations felt by the masses.
“The Government must note that the people are rising to show them that they are the source of this mandate. We are mandated by them,” Wenge said.
“Call a parliament sitting, so we can sit, highlight, address and solve this.”
He said the riots were a wake-up call for the Government.