Save our records

PRESERVATION of significant national records for future use is something most tend to ignore. This may seem trivial but records and archives provide the foundation for identity. Staff from the Library and Archives Office have been urged to be accountable and transparent when dealing with public records. The director-general Kakaito Kasi last week challenged his staff to raise awareness of the necessity of preserving archives for the long-term, future reference and posterity and to provide access to them. And all effort must be put into saving PNGs history records sitting around the country from being destroyed or lost. We have witnessed changes from manual to electronic procedures in various aspects of life and all records should now be in electronic form. About three years ago, there was a call to save PNG’s history records sitting inside the Lae archive building at Mangola Street dating back to 1974 from being totally damaged. Year after year, pleas from those tasked with the responsibility of taking of the records, for a new building with its specific requirements has fallen on deaf eyes. Surely, there is some funds parked away somewhere that can be used to protect the records.
National Archives and Public Records Services was established in 1957 to ensure the efficient management of the records of the Government throughout their life cycle and the preservation of those public records of significant value for current and future use by the Government and citizens and others. It became part of the Office of Library and Archives Board (OLAB) in September 1993. National Archives of PNG is mandated by the Office of Libraries and Archives Act to be the official custodian of the Government’s corporate memory. There is one office Port Moresby and a branch in Lae. The biggest collection they have in custody is the Government records – Post-War and Pre-Independence records of PNG as well as the current day-to-day Government records. The Lae branch is meant to cater for Government and administration files for Mamose and New Guinea Islands, catering for Government information files from 1954-1996. Each repositories contain records for tax census registers, Kiap patrol reports, community, high, vocational and tertiary school reports, works and supply (ComWorks), labour and workers’ compensation, policy planning and research and records for finance inspection, department of primary industries, forestry, local level government, justice (criminal and coroner), health, welfare and personnel management. That is a national treasure and a must keep, no matter what the circumstance is. These are evidence of historically significant events. Most do not know the significance and value of information and record-keeping for future purposes. Remember, to progress into future, one needs to know their history and in terms of Western knowledge and development, archives is where we will find necessary information to plan the future. We owe a great debt to those who collect the information from scratch and to the government of the time, who respected its importance, independence and crucial role in the scholarly and democratic life of the country. The Library and Archives Office is responsible for the permanent preservation of the nation’s records which are of national and historical significance. Consistent funding and support for the work of state archives enables them to effectively manage and make archival records widely accessible, take advantage of evolving technologies, and foster innovative projects and research. We understand it will be a massive effort, when our country is struggling, but remember, there is no future without a past.