Public servant: Remove second class tag

By PISAI GUMAR
A PUBLIC servant says Papua New Guineans should not be treated like second-class citizens in their own country.
Patilias Gamato, the Morobe provincial deputy administrator district services, said some services provided to the people and food imported for them were second-rated.
He spoke out at a church service at the Cassowary United church in Lae during a memorial service to mark the first anniversary of the mv Rabaul Queen sea disaster.
Gamato criticised the shipping services available to the citizens as second-class and that the people deserved
better.
“In fact it’s a lamb flap service meaning that Papua New Guineans will always be treated second class with second hand services and goods, whether it is air, sea, road, health, education and what not.
“We know lamb flaps should be for dogs but we keep importing to feed our citizens,” he said.
“Similarly, the government knew something wasn’t right but keeps allowing it (ships to sail) until the tragic loss of human lives (occurs).
“When will the government treat its citizens with dignity and pride? As taxpayers, they contribute.”
He said the marine authorities knew that the vessel was not seaworthy and should not be operating in the open seas but allowed it to sail.
“Why are we treating our citizens as second class with second hand clothes, materials, equipment and services?” Gamato said.
“It was a case of negligence by the authorities.”
He also urged citizens to respect and abide by regulations to avoid such tragedies.
In Morobe, two monuments will be erected – one in Finschhafen and the other in Lae with names of those who perished engraved on them.