Put a stop to ground breaking ceremonies

THE many ground breaking ceremonies are putting people’s lives at risk.
The recent one in Menyamya, Morobe, by the Prime Minister James Marape and his delegation showed hundreds, even thousands, of people without face masks in a mass gathering.
Here we are talking about the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) and banning mass gatherings, yet on the other side, the total opposite is happening.
Let us put a stop to ground breaking ceremonies now.
The statistics show that the increase in Covid-19 deaths right after Sept 16, which was celebrated in mass gatherings in many centres.
Marape himself, who was a guest of honour at Walume in Southern Highlands and in Maprik, East Sepik, during the Independence Anniversary celebrations was part of a crowd that had no regard for the Covid-19 health measures.
The celebration at UPNG was even worse with the Highlands traditional dance “Waipa” consisting of more than 10 groups where people were holding hands and jumping up and down.
The responsible authorities did not bother too much about the virus.
Now we have the same authorities concerned over the surge in Covid-19 cases.
It is a bit too late for that.
Despite the Covid-19 measures, Papua New Guineans have an attitude problem.
The bulk of the population is semi-educated.
If you tell them what to do, they will not do it unless it is enforced.
Therefore, measures must be strictly enforced by relevant authorities so that people will comply.
Put police and defence personnel on the streets so that people will listen to them and follow.
Otherwise, it is all a waste of time and we cannot deny that.

Siki Mangi