We are still poor despite resources

IF Papua New Guinea is so rich with resources, why are we still poor?
Why are we still struggling with basic government services?
We have gold, copper, oil, gas, vanilla, tea, coffee, cocoa, rubber, timber and a good portion of our land and sea is packed with different natural resources.
We have about 9 million people and they are still living in tough conditions.
Poor health insurance, poor road conditions/infrastructure, poor facilities in our major hospitals, mothers having miscarriages, no proper tuberculosis (TB) facilities, no cancer facilities and others are what the country is known for.
These sicknesses have been in our country for some time and have taken many lives of Papua New Guineans.
The death tolls for TB and cancer alone are extremely high.
University graduates are struggling to secure jobs.
There is no proper system in place to address unemployment.
But the Government still wants to make education free.
Where do all our university and college graduates go after they complete their studies?
These are only some of the issues the country is facing.
Different political parties have been in Cabinet but these problems still exist.
Despite these problems, we still regard ourselves as a country rich in resources.
Are we really rich?
Beside oil, gas and other mineral resources, PNG has a huge market potential in livestock, food and other agriculture products.
But until there is a strong political will to eliminate the disparities, we will always suffer at the hands of our leaders.
Enough is enough.
The general election is just around the corner.
Let us make the right choices for a better PNG.
Vote the right leaders.

MS Gibson,
PNGean in NZ