Not right to change law at our expense

I write to express my disgust in the manner our “noble legislators” have gone about appeasing the developer of the Ramu nickel mine in Madang.
My simple questions to the prime minister and his NA-led Government are these:
Have we not learnt anything from the sufferings of our brethrens in Bougainville?
Why is the government hell bent on selling all our resources?
Why the rush?
What have we got to show for the millions of barrels of crude oil extracted from Kutubu?
Is the Southern Highlands better off today than pre-oil days?
Has the quality of life of our people in the rural areas improved?
Is Vision 2050 just another pipedream?
Our women and children paid a very hefty price for the inept approach in dealing with the developers.
The legacy of the 10-year conflict in Bougainville still remains vivid in the hearts and minds of many people.
As legitimate landowners, our people should not be dictated by foreigners with their own agendas.
I am sure the people of Madang are no worse off than they were 30 years ago even if the nickel project does not get off the ground.
We must learn to be more astute in our business affairs when considering the way the world beyond our borders operates.
It is criminal to pass such a shortsighted legislation without proper debate.
But then again, who can blame the illiterate Members of Parliament?
Our system of government has become a joke in recent years.
We cannot even utilise legal advisers to critically assess proposed changes to the laws of our country.
As custodians of the country’s rich resources, our leaders are obligated to ensure we leave behind a lasting legacy for our future generations.
Let us not be fooled into believing that PNG is on the verge of economic prosperity.
Our brief history has clearly defined us as a country with wasted opportunities.
Many commentators have openly termed PNG a failed state.
They may have good reasons to justify using that terminology.
What sort of respectable governing body would propose changes to existing legislation without seeking the views of the constituents?
Is PNG still a democracy or is the country treading the path so many failed African states took?
There is no single country on this earth with richness that PNG boasts.
No nation on earth can compare with our blessings.
Yet there are countries with less than 10% of our mineral wealth with life expectancy and literacy levels which puts PNG to shame.
I would encourage the environment minister to review his decision and take a more measured approach in dealing with this important piece of environmental legislation.
Our land is our heritage; let us not be blinded by greed and self-interest of a powerful few.
The educated and well-informed need to speak up before it is all too late.

Big brother
Buka