Time to change our mindset on payback

 I SUPPORT The National newspaper’s editorial yesterday (Nov 24) about the need to stop the payback mentality in Papua New Guinea.

We must take bold measures to stop payback. 

The Government, its agencies and relevant organisations such as churches and NGOs should carry out awareness exercises to educate our people to change their mindsets on payback.

A good example is the recent tragic road accident which claimed the life of a student from Poroma, Southern Highlands, who completed his grade 12 at Kabiufa Secondary School in Eastern Highlands early this month.

The vehicle with seven passengers including the driver was travelling to Tari that night. 

Witnesses claimed the vehicle was traveling at a very high speed and the driver was under the influence of alcohol. At a sharp turn the vehicle didn’t slow down and went off the road. It bumped the student standing on the road side and dragged him down into a creek.

The student was rushed to Mendi and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Two others travelers who sustained injuries from the accident were later transported to the hospital by villagers.

When the villagers heard about the death of their tribesman nobody did anything harmful to the travelers. They only grieved for their loss. Leaders of Poroma and the nearby communities gathered that night and calmed the situation and stopped relatives of the deceased from harming the travelers. The villages brought them to their homes and accommodated them that night. 

Those courageous peace loving leaders and villagers made a fine decision and requested police to do proper investigations into the accident.

Leaders from Tari arrived at the scene next day were so amazed on what the relatives did and commended the people for maintaining peace in the community. 

Compensation demand for the student killed was set to be discussed when both parties meet later.

Now we see and understand why the relatives did on that night right in front of the village at their door steps. This is a perfect example which clearly portrays to the rest of PNG to stop acting and behaving like fools any more.  

In PNG we must stop paybacks and allow responsible authorities to deal with them. 

Napu Iki, Via email