Restoring parliament will fix PNG’s admin woes, says Zurenuoc

By LESLIE OMARO
THE country’s administration problems can be largely fixed if the national parliament is restored as a fully functioning arm of the government, with the members playing out their roles to their fullest capacity, Speaker Theo Zurenuoc says.
Speaking at the opening of a workshop in Port Moresby yesterday, Zurenuoc said his biggest challenge would be to erase the feeling of insecurity in MPs.
He said he wanted to change the attitude because members, once elected into parliament, thought their number one priority was to deliver tangible projects for their constituents for the fear of losing their seat.
“The MP acts like a project manager and coordinator and provider of goods, cash and services.
“I want to return the member to parliament to play out his role,” he said.
“I will also be working with other key stakeholders to change the voters’ mindset to understand and appreciate the role of the MP as their representative, lawmaker and oversight provider.”
The speaker told members that he wanted restoration, reformation and modernisation in the conduct of parliament.
This, he said, must be reflected in the practice and procedures in the chambers and chamber support services, the administration and administration support services and infrastructure of parliament and other areas that would support the MP to perform to the maximum.
“When the MP is fully functioning in his role, then the parliament is fully functioning.
“When parliament is fully functioning, democracy and good governance will transcend this parliament into the executive and the judiciary,” Zurenuoc said.