Today’s PNG is tomorrow’s history: let’s make it good

BY JOE WASIA | Supported by the Bob Cleland Writing Fellowship @PNG Attitude

Recent economic, social, political and constitutional developments in Papua New Guinea will, for sure, bring back some memories in later years.

While we have been travelling our journey, the global community has at many times thrown criticisms on the conduct and state of affairs of this nation.

Different surveys conducted by different countries and organisations have posited so many negative perceptions of our country. The people thought that they could hardly see light while the rest of the world lived the glorious life out there.

A cry from deep within the heart of this poor nation continues to flow like the small creek at the base of Mt Sugalop on the border of Hela and Enga provinces in the heart of PNG. The cry is always constant: Is there light at the end of the tunnel?

In the last 37 years since political independence, the nation has sailed through rough seas, climbed rugged mountains, walked deep valleys and crossed fast flowing rivers. Every one has seen the negative perceptions of the future of this nation. It has never travelled any easy journey as yet. It continues to cry and cry. For sure, the country has much to regret and little to commemorate on its failure and success. Future generations will learn through written and oral history about the journey this young nation has gone through in this era.
The three arms of government, judiciary, legislature and executive, have been strangled by their spelled responsibilities in recent years. It gave serious indication that the nation was heading for destruction.The executive arm overruling the other arms of government nearly brought constitutional democracy and the separation of powers to their knees. The nation may live to regret this. 

The constitution is the fabric that holds together 800 or more different cultures in this diverse nation. It’s utter nonsense on the part of uncaring and self-centred leaders to destroy this fabric. Amendment after amendment; alteration after alteration. Whose interests are the elected MPs pursuing? They take all sorts of action just to cling on to power.

The practice of stressing and disrespecting the constitution has been seen in successive governments. It has been the practice for many years. But if this O’Neill-Dion government comes out of this period of political uncertainty, PNG will see the light in the next five years and onwards.

It’s hoped that compilations in books, blogs, social media, and on websites like PNG Attitude will give future generations the clear picture of every economic, social and political development in this nation in this era.