I treated my three children Moasing (left), baby Keith and Gedi to a generous serve of icrecream at Big Rooster Waigani, opposite where I work at The National newspaper, for New Year's Day.
My eldest son, Jr Malum, is in Lae with my family and will be back in time for school.
BY REG RENAGI
Madeline Arek’s recent National newspaper report, “PNGDF for peacekeeping duties” and Defence Minister Dadae’s media statements compels me to add that international peacekeeping is not a national priority as discussed here.
The Minister’s statements have important strategic implications for PNG. It surprisingly comes amidst no real parliamentary discussions on this issue and on related national security matters.
This important Defence Bill and others over the years are passed with little or no in-depth debate by politicians in parliament, and excludes the public. Ongoing public opinion do determine much of our public policy considerations in formulating strategic government policies, hence, it is most crucial parliament fully debate all strategic implications with this bill before any legislative decisions can be made for obvious reasons.
Defence must plan its future roles and activities better from here on as despite two Defence White Papers in 1996 and 1999 respectively and a near 62% cut in 2001, core Defence capacity has substantially eroded. This seriously has affected Defence’s effectiveness to rapidly respond to national emergencies in recent years. Here is the way ahead.
Secondly, get the PNGDF to start doing its basic functions well and fully resource it with a realistic budget of some 2.8% of GDP.
Thirdly, implement a realistic action plan now to systematically upgrade all three force elements in the next decade sound management synergies with all levels of the Defence organisation.
Fourthly, rather than deploy troops on peacekeeping duties overseas, get our Defence Force to do more national development programs in rural PNG. The government must immediately establish a “Reserve Force” to directly contribute towards national security and development. A ready reserve scheme can be activated immediately today in the provinces to ensure effective management of government goods and services to all provinces.
Last but not the least, develop and implement a creative youth and school cadet programme. We must inculcate general, positive attitude and strong committed ethos of service to others by our young people. It is time we fully harness them in leadership endeavours.
PNG can now adopt a military reserve force concept to develop the mindset of our growing young population to serve their country to their fullest potential with pride, dedication and commitment. This is one good way to protect PNG as a well secured and developed nation tomorrow.
Notwithstanding, I want to commend Minister Dadae in trying his best these past two years to improve Defence under very difficult conditions. Defence is a difficult portfolio for any MP in recent years to successfully manage, especially when the government and parliament clearly lacks the required knowledge and skills in most matters concerning national security of PNG. What Defence Ministry urgently needs now an immediate increase in manpower and budgetary support from the government and parliament, the department and defence force, Industry and general community.
A popular
It embarrasses many Papua New Guineans to explain to anyone why the average politician in his/her country seems undeterred by public opinions of any kind. Unlike some democracies, where politicians caught in misconduct cases will either resign, or step down to be investigated, but not so in PNG.
In such cases to date, an implicated MP usually denies publicly any adverse reports about his alleged actions. The errant politician will accuse the media of being misrepresented, misquoted by inexperienced journalists; and that local papers are spreading false stories to discredit his reputation.
The MPs involved do not even feel disgraced at all, or feel compelled to temporarily step down from office to await investigations (if any). Despite public outrage, politicians unashamedly hold on to their jobs with the prime minister failing to take tough action to ensure parliamentarians (mostly in government) do the ‘right thing’ under the circumstances. Over the years, successive prime ministers have all failed in this regard.
The citizenry today do not even bother about writing another useless letter of complaint to their local MP. It is a complete waste of time. Except for a handful, most ‘pollies’ are just big disappointments to their electorates. The so-called ‘big men’ are either too busy doing something unrelated to their constituent’s interests, or simply ignores the complainant as a mere trouble-maker.
As for the PNG Ombudsman Commission (OC), it may soon be made powerless if the government has its way. The OC started off well with a new Chief Ombudsman's (CO) appointment with ’gusto’. The new incumbent discontinued master’s studies in
The familiar trend under all former
Is there any secret written deal between the government and OC? I do not believe there is, even if that is a perception now. The CO has found out what all his predecessors were frustrated about. He is doing his best but is being swamped by the magnitude of the job.
On the whole, the OC has to date done a sterling job, but it must do more than what it is doing now, or not doing; to put away some bad politicians behind bars. It will need the help of the Attorney General’s office and all law enforcement agencies working as one team.
However, if that is not bad enough, the government now plans to pass a bill to further regulate the watch-dog. It shows the government has something to fear to curb the powers of the commission. If this regulation bill is ever passed in parliament then PNG will experience more gross political abuses of power. The end state will be the PNG Ombudsman Commission becoming a mere ‘paper tiger’ with no powers to stop ‘crooks’ occupying public offices in future.
In addition, PNG needs a chain reaction to be started by committed Department secretaries, government board chairmen, public and private sector, civil society and the general public to point-blankly tell their MPs just …’where to stick it’. This may be just what it will take to stop them.
I celebrated New Year's Day with my three children (Moasing, Gedi and Keaith) in the recreational park at Gerehu Stage Two in Port Moresby, including the new foundation - opened on Christmas Day by National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop - which is a crowd puller every day and night, when it looks spectacular with an explosion of coloured lights.
This is the second fountain in Port Moresby, the first being at Five-Mile.
Port Moresby has certainly come a long way in 2009, and in 2010, promises to be an even better and beautiful city, especially with the massive LNG project coming on stream.
From JOHN FOWKE
Richard Leahy (pictured) is one of the sons of the late Mick Leahy and Mick's widow, Mrs Jeanette Leahy, who has only recently retired to Sydney from PNG despite being in her late eighties.
They built up the Zenag Farm business which is a major chicken and beef supplier in PNG situated at Mumeng, halfway along the road between Bulolo and Lae. This is run by Mick's son Philip who, with Richard, has remained in PNG.
Richard has for many years operated an air charter service out of Lae (Nadzab) and is one of the most experienced pilots operating in PNG.
His plane developed engine trouble on a trip to a remote airstrip in
The plane was extensively damaged and caught fire immediately it hit the ground. The six passengers, all from villages in the area he was heading to, died.
Richard managed to drag himself out and get away from the flames but suffered a broken spine and major burns to his legs and the lower part of the body.
He is in
His son Nick - from Richard's first marriage - is looking after things in Lae and minding his small half-sister, as her mother has gone to
Richard has been flying small planes in PNG for the past 40 years. Luckily there was a helicopter in the air nearby at the time of the crash and it was able to land near the crash site and uplift Richard to Lae.
Contrary to what people have been saying, there was no trouble in Port Moresby last night, with people celebrating peacefully all over the city.
This morning, I took my kids to the park at Gerehu Stage Two and here are some pictures.
