Poverty seen as main reasons for rise in bag-snatching and prostitution

By Glenda Awikiak
WE are seeing a rise in criminal activities like bag-snatching and prostitution because people have no money, says PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry officer Petrus Ralda.
He said people were stealing and young girls were using sex to earn a living because they needed money.
Ralda was speaking during the graduation of 63 people who attended a two-week financial literacy training at Murray Barrack in Port Moresby.
The training was run by the Small Medium Enterprise Corporation (Smec) through the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry and involved the women and men of PNG Defence Force families.
“We are emphasising only on addressing the system but we forget to address the course,” Ralda said.
“There is a lack of motivation and support for small-and-medium enterprises in the country.
“That is the main cause of all social problems in the country and we need partnership to address that.
“PNG has 85 per cent informal sector and only 15 per cent formal.
“That means there is a need to create money and put money into people’s pocket.
“Why are children getting married and bringing their wives and husbands back to their parents’ homes?
“We are too much reliant and dependent on families and we are not creative and innovative.”
Ralda said people needed to break through out of this bondage through knowledge and skills.