Not moving forward

I FIND it ridiculous that despite being rich with natural resources, PNG still has not made much attempts to move towards industrialisation.
Even the products manufactured domestically are mostly done so from imported secondary raw materials.
And embarrassingly some items found in shelves of our stores with the PNG made logo are not even manufactured in PNG but are packed and or distributed.
For over 40 years and yet we are spending so much on importing finished-product made from our raw materials, such as cocoa, copra, coffee etc bought at a much lower price.
Moving towards industrialisation will ease the nation in so many ways directly and otherwise in the long run, such as the current forex issue which is being felt by everyone.
And that is apart from preventing brain-drain, poverty, crime and increasing employment.
I support the visions of my governor Allan Bird and local MP Richard Maru for attempts to process raw commodities produced from us the people of East Sepik, such as cocoa and vanilla.
However, their visions may not be accomplished without the support of the national government.
Only a prime minister with a visionary mentality who sees ahead of time will finally push PNG to at least show the world its potential in industrialisation and globalisation.
The current government mostly focuses on infrastructure developments – many of which are undoubtedly white elephants – from borrowed funds.
Where are our fund-raising mechanisms which will alleviate the burdens of excess borrowing?
Are we experiencing a one way train in the government’s businesses by which we are spending too much than we could afford?
The writing is on the wall.

Timothy Nigaul