PNG needs clean leaders: Wenge

PAPUA New Guinea desperately needs leaders who are “clean and as white as white paper”, Morobe Governor Luther Wenge said on Wednesday.
Addressing a large crowd at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Lae, Morobe province, during the Independence celebrations, Mr Wenge said PNG needed leaders who were not corrupt, and did not bribe people to do work for them.
“That is why we (PNG) are going backwards.
“Leaders want 10% under the table first before they work .Many leaders have dirty hands,” he said.
Mr Wenge challenged the Ombudsman Commission to investigate him and find out whether he (Wenge) had any business interests.
“My business interests are the people that is why I am not afraid to walk into settlements.
“Many leaders are afraid to enter settlements because they have something to hide.”
Mr Wenge also called on the people of Morobe province and the rest of PNG to work hard to develop the nation, and not depend on handouts and aid from Australia.
He said although land was scarce in Lae, the city was developing fast and attracting new businesses.
He said four major investors had signed agreements with the Morobe provincial government to set up businesses in Lae, which would create more than 30,000 jobs for Papua New Guineans.
Lae had a subdued Independence anniversary celebration due to the outbreak of cholera and dysentery epidemics hitting the city and the province.
Schools did not take part in the parade, leaving only the Boy Scouts and the PNGDF Engineering Battalion to provide the guard of honour for the occasion.