Marape’s approach to Baker, gang brilliant

WELCOME Opposition Leader Belden Namah’s criticisms concerning national issues.
His comments highlight important issues which are sometimes undermined by the Government.
However, Namah’s recent criticisms on Prime Minister James Marape’s efforts to address the escalating law and order issue in Alotau is baseless because of his lack of critical thinking.
This is evident when reading Tuesday’s The National (Page 3) when Namah slammed Marape over negotiations with wanted criminal Tommy Baker and his accomplices.
Marape has taken a holistic and cost-effective strategy to reach out to the wanted criminal and his gang members.
Using the church and community leaders to ask the criminals to come forward and surrender is a community-based approach.
It is a brilliant thought ever proposed by a prime minister in Papua New Guinea’s history.
When communities participate in activities, whether it be of community development, spiritual or law and justice, they feel that they are part of the larger society.
Church and State partnership in combating lawlessness is an effective and efficient way that any government can go about eradicating social issues.
There’s nothing wrong with Marape sanctioning State funds to do the community justice work at the community level if the State, through police, cannot arrest the thugs.
I commend Marape for his wisdom.
The benefit of such approach is twofold.
First, as a church and community, they would value and appreciate their own effort after the surrender mission is successful.
The manhunt, estimated at K2.2million, could be saved for other development purpose rather than funding the police to conduct their operation.
Namah’s argument that Marape, as a head of Government should not negotiate with the criminals, is shallow and baseless.
If Marape, as the chief servant, does not intervene using his office, then how do you expect to bring these thugs to justice?
Will you just sit at your Waigani comfort zone and watch these thugs continue their activities?
Imagine how much the State has lost in the recent attack between the police and criminals.
Namah’s continuous talk only diminishes his own argument.
Despite what may be, always remember that leadership is about creativity and not following the same old techniques Namah is claiming.

Jethro Yaul,
Social Work (UPNG)