Increase in electricity rate
This article is written in reference to a news article published by Post Courier around last month on the decision of National Energy Authority (NEA) that increased the Easy-pay electricity rates of PNG Power on its customers.
In 2023, the NEA has decided to increase the fee to its customers at all categories by (9) toea. And on last month of this year, there was a specific announcement to increase a certain amount of fee, specifically for easy- pay customers.
It is understood that PNG Power is facing a major challenge in its operation and even discussed and experienced in recent parliament sitting.
However, NEA decision of imposing extra fee to its loyal customers are unacceptable and unfair. This is because only few customers who comply with the regulations and faithfully pay for the services are the ones who are carrying the cross of thousands of people who are illegally using the services to enjoy themselves.
The burden of issues faced by the PNG Power cannot be passed on to its customers because this is the responsibility of the government and the administration of the PNG Power to address and not the struggling customers.
Also, in 2023, PNG Power was putting out and circulating a notice to conduct nation-wide amnesty exercise, but to date there is no indication of this exercises to make sure all users are registered and to penalise illegal users for non-compliance.
As I write this, there are more than 5 neighbors here colluding with PNG Power staff to do illegal connections and using the power supply on a 24/7 days while I am paying K20.00 every 4-5 days in the house that I rent.
This clearly shows that there is incompetency in the leadership and operation of PNG Power that NEA and the relevant authorities needs to seriously look at and address rather than jumping on top of poor customer’s back.
This is an unfair treatment to those genuine customers who are feeling the pain at this time of economic crisis.
I am now appealing to the NEA and PNG Power to wake up from your sleep and conduct the amnesty exercise that you have been announcing.
I am also requesting the NEA to re-consider your decision on Easy-pay users to reduce the increased fee back to normal.
Instead, more focus must be given on your approach to stop or completely eradicate illegal users to make more money rather than charging more fees and robbing few individuals for your survival.
Voice of KOMBKAMANE
Executive arm must make position known
REGARDING the Bougainville Peace Agreement, what does the Peace Agreement say after the Bougainville Referendum is held?
On the part of the PNG Government, the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA)empowers the three arms of the Government to have a say on Bougainville’s political destiny after the Referendum vote.
How does the BPA empower the three arms of the PNG Government? First, to the PNG Executive arm, it empowers it to consult with the Bougainville Government on the results of the Referendum vote.
The BPA implies that during the consultation process, the Executive arm under the leadership of the Prime Minister shall consult with the Bougainville Government and clarify its position in relation to the Referendum Results.
There is no harm on the part of the Marape Government to express its views as to whether as an executive arm, it would support the results of the Referendum vote during the National Parliament’s ratification.
The Marape government can not simply say that the final approval will be up to the Parliament. It must make its position clear whether, as a government, it would support Bougainville’s independence.
Secondly, the BPA also empowers the legislative arm (Parliament) to have a SAY on the results of the Referendum. This is when all 118 members of the National Parliament will, as individuals, decide whether they support Bougainville’s push for independence
However, before this happens, Parliament must be well informed of the position of the Marape Government’s (Executive arm) position.
The PNG Excective arm under the PM, is yet to make its position clear. It will be better for it to let the people of PNG know its position during its consultation with the ABG currently taking place in NZ.
Thirdly the BPA also empowers the PNG Judiciary arm to have its say.
This can happen in the event that both the PNG Legislature and the PNG Excective arm and the Bougainville Government hit an impasse on certain legal issues relating to the Bougainville Referendum or if the PNG Parliament refuses to ratify the 97.7 per cent vote for independence.
Or in other words, failure to have the 97.7 per cent Referendum vote supported by Parliament, Bougainville may take legal action at the Supreme Court.
However, the best we can do to solve the issue once and for all is to respect the wishes of the people of Bougainville given that PNG has a moral obligation to let the Bougainville people determine their own future.
Mirahu mani, BOROKO
They are not bad people
In Papua New Guinea (PNG), there’s a common perception that all Chinese businessmen are exploitative, profit-driven and disconnected from the communities they operate in.
But there are individuals who break that mould – people like Tony Weng, a Chinese businessman whose story is powerful reminder that not all Chinese are bad in PNG.
Tony Weng is the Managing Director of Best Gear Trading Limited, a company based in Gordons, National Capital District (NCD). Under his leadership, Best Gear Trading has become a source of employment for over 100 Papua New Guineans – a significant contribution to the local economy.
What truly sets Tony apart is his genuine care for his employees. Unlike many businesses that stick to the government-mandated minimum wage of K3.50 per hour, Tony pays his workers above the minimum, ensuring they are fairly compensated for their hard work. His kindness extends beyond the workplace.
Tony is well-known in settlement communities across NCD for his acts of compassion during times of need and hardship. Whether it’s providing support during emergencies, assisting families in need, or helping communities affected by social issues, Tony has earned a reputation as a man with a big heart and a true friend to Papua New Guineans.
One of the most remarkable examples of Tony’s generosity is the story of David Kunini, an employee at Best Gear Trading. During the Black Wednesday looting incident at Gordons on 10th January 2024, police fired tear gas to control the crowd. David was caught in the chaos and suffered a serious eye injury from the tear gas.
Realising the urgency of the situation, Tony personally arranged for David to receive specialist treatment in China – a costly decision he made without hesitation. Tony flew David to China at his own expense, ensuring that he received the best possible medical care.
Upon their return to PNG, Tony addressed his employees and shared a profound message; “This is not just about helping David. This is a sign of the strong friendship between China and Papua New Guinea. We must care for each other, not just as employer and employee but as brothers and sisters, as one family.
Tony’s actions speak louder than words. He is a living example of how business can be a force for showing compassion.
JAMES PIJAPE, Gordon
Why the high cost of internet
I, hereby, write in support of Andrew Dupre of Minj on Yu Tok in Monday’s Post-Courier, dated June 9, 2025, and further support the call from the Member for Menyamya, Honourable Solen Loifa MP, on the floor of Parliament on June 5, 2025, regarding the high cost of internet in Papua New Guinea.
I also acknowledge the well-articulated response from the Prime Minister for the government to weigh the options of better and alternate options to bring the costs of internet services down in PNG, when DataCo brought to National Executive Council a second proposal for an overlay of the current submarine cables which will again cost the State more than a billion kina.
The Prime Minister’s response is fully supported for better and alternate options to reduce high internet costs, considering national security and not cheaper internet service but sovereignty protection should be of priority,
The government cannot blindly fund project after project for DataCo when there is no return of investments. The national government has invested heavily in DataCo for cheaper internet services for Papua New Guineans. It was a commendable move by the government to stop or halt the second proposal for a second overlay of the current cables.
If the second proposal was approved, this would have triggered another increase on the current cost of internet in PNG
The high cost of internet access in Papua New Guinea remains a cause for concern. Despite the PNG government’s efforts and interventions in supporting DataCo in improving the penetration of internet accessibility in PNG through its entity responsible for internet accessibility, DataCo is far from reach.
Affordable internet is out of reach for most Papua New Guineans with a monthly fixed broadband plan costing 100 per cent of the average monthly income.
This exceeds the five per cent affordability target set by the Broadband Commission for Digital Development making Papua New Guinea one of the most expensive places in the world to connect to the internet.
PNG’s internet penetration rate was significantly below the global internet usage of 51 percent. Costs of internet connection in PNG are among the world’s highest. In 2016, 2G of fixed broadband per month cost more than 100 per cent of average monthly income, far higher than the 5 per cent of average monthly income identified as the target for affordability. As of 2020, prices have remained high and internet connectivity remains low at 12 percent.
PNG pays five times more for internet than Fiji and three times more than Tonga despite having a far larger population. It is not surprising to see that internet penetration across PNG stands at mere 12 per cent.
These abysmal figures are despite strong support for greater internet access across the private sector, government and community services.
DataCo, PNG’s state-owned internet wholesaler, continues to struggle to turn a profit despite enjoying a government subsidised monopoly and favourable market conditions including the Coral Sea Cables gifted to PNG by Australia in 2019. This again begs the question that “when will internet access in PNG be made cheaper and affordable to al/ its citizens?” “Who is responsible for making internet access cheaper for all.
We all know that there are factors at play that makes internet accessibility unaffordable. These factors are, infrastructure costs, Wholesale, Retail and Competition, Regulation and PNG Specific issues.
In contrast a concessional loan from China’s EXIM Bank accounting for the 85 percent of the Huawei built Kumul Submarine Cable Network (KSCN) and costing PNG, a sum of PGK 879 million, which is being passed on by DataCo directly to the consumers, thus inflating internet costs and further restricting internet access to those who can’t afford it.
To add insult to injury, the KSCN site in Lae broke down twice in May of this year, causing mass network outages.
DataCo blamed internet retailers like Telikom, Digicel and Vodafone to avoid accountability for its ongoing failure to effectively manage the cable network.
The KSCN cable is like the Noble Centre in Downtown, Port Moresby, built in the middle of the ocean, he expects us to thank him for it.
Government and industry insiders increasingly believe that DataCo is also willing to risk PNG’s Mid Term Development Goals by independently brokering a new deal with China on the China-Chile Express (CCE) cable. Connecting to CCE risks scaring off industry titans such as Google, Amazon and Microsoft from investing in PNG due to links to untrusted networks and high-risk vendors.
If PNG has to take this part this would have catastrophic impact for our economy and far worse, this course is also capable of compromising PNG’s national security and the potential to threaten PNG’s sovereignty.
Meanwhile, PNG businesses are paying close to PGK 1 million a year for back up satellite internet with 03B. Why would the world invest in PNG when it is costly to operate in this country?
The government should consider reappointing capable managemet to run DataCo for the benefit of all Papua New Guineans?
In the interest of transparency and accountability, it would be proper, fair and just that DataCo make public its financial position for everyone to see as it is a state-owned company.
As PNG falls further behind in its ambition for a future digital economy capable of bringing more of our people into the modern era the question remains; when can PNG enjoy a cheaper and very affordable internet accessibility by all citizens?
If leadership and management issues in DataCo is the cause of the high internet costs in PNG, then how can the PNG government continue to tolerate this situation and more so tolerating the clear incompetence of DataCo.
The future of PNG’s digital development and prosperity for our people hangs in the balance.
Some drastic measures have to be undertaken by the PNG government to really deal with the high cost of internet accessibility in PNG. Accessibility to information is key for PNG’s prosperity.
Our people cannot be denied affordable internet accessibility owing to someone’s interest thus compromising the national interest.
It’s about time, DataCo be accountable and be subject to public scrutiny on the high cost of internet in PNG.
BEN SIMANJON – concerned citizen
The great development fallacy
Buildings, roads, bridges, etc are one thing. Real development, on the other hand, is measured by Physical Quality of Life (PQL) index. PQL index captures state of individuals and families per households across PNG. Whether a family is: food sufficient, energy sufficient and technology sufficient.
Food Sufficient
Does the family grow its own rice, raise own meat, farm own fish, raise own chicken and egg, farm own cattle and goat for milk and meat, grown own veges, etc. Farming of above produces could only be achieved and sustained if there is constant water supply.
After 50 years, we didn’t achieve this. With inflation and high cost of living today, we complain of high prices of rice, chicken, Ox & Palm, but fail to realise that we started on misguided development models since 1975. So, we are food dependent today.
Energy Sufficient
There are 6000 wards, 330 LLGs, and 89 districts in PNG. Does each one have its own rural electrification and water supply syste? No. Water and electricity are two key energies to power the production formula; Land + Labour + Capital = Production. Without power and water nothing moves, “take off” is denied as it did in last 50 years.
Technology Sufficient
Appropriate village technology is a must.
We need farm tractors, plough, pulverising machines, sago making machines, etc and training of farmers on their use and maintenance.
CYRIL GARE via email
Golden Jubilee preparations
PAPUA New Guinea has three months and one week until the big day, September 16.
There is too much hot hair about Rihanna performing during the occasion and mega celebrations.
Despite all these, there are some simple questions that need simple answers.
Have the lives of PNGuineans improved since 1975?
Are villages connected to road networks and government services?
Are PNGuineans getting basic health care services?
Are PNGuineans watching NRL games and charging their mobile phones in the villages?
Are PNGuineans fetching fresh water from their homes instead of walking to a creek or river?
Is it safe to walk the streets of towns and cities in PNG?
How many PNGuineans are working and supporting families?
Does PNG have one legal system or two?
Why are big boys and girls getting away with the Laws of PNG?
Why give businesses to family members and associates?
Why get a court order to stop law enforcers to do their mandated job?
Is it not possible for PNG to process its own natural resources?
Why can’t PNG grow its own rice?
Is NZ sipsip better than PNG’s?
Are expatriates the only people who can manage a tradestore or minimart?
Is it a conducive learning environment when there are 60 students in a classroom?
Why is PNG Always in the top 5 in ranking in terms of corruption?
Is PNG truly united?
The Good citizens of PNG can add to this list. Anyone can give a shot at the answers to the above questions. The impact on ordinary PNGuineans is almost the same and huge. A country’s well being heavily rests on the shoulders of Leaders. It is time those in positions of power and authority to self-evaluate and change. We can’t be doing the same things and expect new results. 2027 must be the Year of Change and A New Beginning for Papua New Guinea!
Mintai Gomatultul -Garvsongkeg Village, Nadzab
Sharing of wealth equitably
Islam teaches that wealth belongs to God.
This is despite the fact that mankind puts much effort and strives to create wealth and succeed in this material world. Humans however are regarded as custodians of God’s wealth.
For the efforts mankind put into creating this wealth and sustaining himself in this world, God compensates him by allowing him to secure his hereafter through the giving of prescribed charity (zakaat).
This prescribed charity is obligatory on all Muslims and is regarded one of the very important pillars of Islam. Every year in the Islamic lunar calendar month of Ramadan the rich and the wealthy Muslims in all parts of the world give to the poor and needy as part of the zakaat payment which has been made obligatory by God in His book.
Because the zakaat is obligatory it becomes the duty of the rich and the well off Muslims to share their wealth (2.5 percent) of their annual savings with the poor and the needy.
It is like even though the poor and needy invested nothing into a business, God has made it possible to at least access the wealth created by the rich.
Through this form of charity fellow mankind are uplifted creating harmony and fairness in society which then reduces the likelihood of crime and lawlessness. This is because naturally people tend to respect and be kind to those who give and be good to them.
Just imagine how Papua New Guinea would be if all our politicians, the bureaucrats and the wealthy share their wealth with the poor and the needy in our communities! It will be wonderful.
Taki Boring
APPOINTMENTS
Good to hear the Prime Minister of PNG is not happy with the vetting process of the appointment of Government Departmental Heads.
PMJM must have just woken up from his slumber or has it just occurred to him that he must say something to make news. Thirty years out of the fifty years we have been Independent that problem has been in existence.
And it is still alive and exists to this day as we speak.
We are all too familiar with the words, nepotism, wantokism forget merit based appointment.
A case in point – the top echelon of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock is well stocked with people over 60 years old, dilapidated and senile.
In all fairness these fat cats ought to have been given the marching order a decade ago to exit with their golden handshake.
So they can retire in comfort and peace – in all fairness.
No wonder currently their contribution to the Department is ZERO and still is as we speak. That is the problem the Prime Minister seeks solutions to in his recent call.
The weak link in this chain is the Department of Personal Management and Public Services Commission. Prime Minister the Heads of these two Organisations( DPM and PSC) must roll not tommorrow but now.
Also Government Ministers in Cabinet where appointments are made are to be equally held responsible for this untenable situation.
Numutoka Moho
Reginald Renagi – Federal System
I believe the forces of Globalization and geopolitics may already be driving us in that direction of regionalization. Maybe, the country need to give more closer attention to strengthen governance oversight, and in establishing appropriate infrastructures for Economic Zone Authorities and Energy Grid and the Connect PNG initiatives
Regional system of government should be considered for PNG..our four regions, Islands, Southern, Highlands, and Northern, with regional governments, would not only take the pressure of Waigani, but bring government services closer to the people, with each region with their own police, CIS and even army base, to police their peoples and regional economies. Not a bad option, given the current centralized system of government we have now…it’s the 21st century and beyond, we have develop and change, to a system that suits us, that will work for us. This idea should be floated so we have it widely discussed..
Good idea Mr Pande, but wouldn’t that create regionalists in place of nationalists.
1. I reckon voting along party lines must be abolished. Every member of Parliament is a mandated leader whose first priority is his people not the party. W
Members should vote according to their conscience and the good of his people, not by the dictates of the party.That would also provide a check and balance against one member using the party to run his own agenda.
2. Go back to decentralization, give the power back to the provinces. Make the Public Service in waigani smaller, increase provincial departments using Hon Allan Bird’s Block grant model.
Works well for Brisbane City that is run by a Council not a provincial entity with a trillions dollar budget.
I read through all this, comments and then I thought it’s true some of the things we should do in orderly manner to do any work… So do the work or provide any service, do it for the best interest of the country..
CLRC made bold state statement at a ‘National Conference on Autonomy and Decentralization’ held at APEC haus, Port Morseby in 2022, and I quote: “We are not hunting for decentralisation. In fact, we settled that issue even before independence, not as an option but a necessity (Peasah, 1994). What we are hunting for now is the “best-fit – type or model” of decentralisation that suits us PNG. Thus, our decentralisation story from the 1940s to this National Conference is not about decentralisation itself but rather about a model than can work”.
In an organization three things would stand: its purpose, its credibility, and its operational rules and order of conduct and how things get done. In a population of people, these three things will stand: their will, their honour and dignity as a people, and their way of life for living and doing business.
If there is going to be national movement, who is going to lead and direct it? Is it going to be a political party, or the people, or the bank, or investors, traders and industries? Will there be a one national movement or will there be many? Are there already signs or migration patterns showing there are movements happening? What is PNG evolving to become? Feudalism, Dictatorship, Socialism, improved Democracy?
It is frustrating to see our big volume of native land or indigenous land is occupied by land law is unfair. That outdated land law has to be reviewed and amend new laws so that full rights can go to native land owners. Any foreign company wants to occupy that native land, landowner should have full power to settle land matters in the support to the government.
The State has made so many mistakes due to Land Issues. Currently the landowners are being given the runaround for so many years and there is a delay tactic done by the state itself, for instance the state does Compulsory Land Acquisition and then the Customary Landowners are not advised about this so when they go to enquire about how/ why the land is being used and by whom they are told to do a ILG to prove their land rights and there is another delay after that, later on some are even told to file their claims through Land Titles Commission ( Land Commission) when the Lands Department know very well there is NO current Commissioner available (for more then 12years) to do the hearing for these cases and claims are all still pending to this day awaiting for a Commissioner to be appointed and to date still vacant.
When will NEC or proper authorities appoint a Lands Commissioner to clear out the claims by Genuine Customary Landowners??
Also resettling settlers in the city NCD after being evicted without proper consultation to Customary Landowners and their Members elected is also a big issue!!
Why can’t these simple issues be solved in a professional manner with the proper People??
There seems to be too much of States own arrogant and selfish decisions without consultation or gazetting in the Newspapers for the people.
CONCERNED CITIZEN
Pauline Hanson is right heed the call PM Albanese and act for the benefit of our country, PNG
SMEs must increase price’s because of the increasing of inflation through out the economical prices,the SMEs has establishing and promoting the business sales of speeding up the entrepreneur sales of business’s.It’s a concern to acknowledge the provision of business’s services to increase the prices of business’s all through out the nation. Increase in different taxes has urge to burden of the people to run and manage a business to accomplish the sales of the product.This has been put to a barrier and enclosing the concentration of business in terms of buying and selling.I suggested that, while inflation and increased in different taxes output,it must be fairly of increasing SMEs prices.
Need more empowerment on to The rural population where some agriculture development taking place.eg Simderby oil palm plantation at Silovuti, local SME not funding by government not accessible.
Post Courier,
I am an avid reader of your sports column, but lately your rugby league reporters’ level of elementary level English which deviates the structure and flow of thought leaves me with no option but turn over to our next daily. However, is there an editing team?
Thank you for releasing such facts. It seems the politicians are above all while tge people are neglected at all levels.
We need .ore criticisms so tgat light can start to go into dark areas in PNG
Just want to leave a comment on the Bad State of Kerema Hospital and the Governor of Gulf sees himself as a performing Governor to Cross the Floor of Parliament and stated his reasons to move over.
He was welcomed by Long term serving MP, Sir Puka Temu. I am not a supporter of the current PMJM and not even supporting his corrupt Government.
But my point is, what has happened to the PSIP Grants for Kerema and DSIP for Abau District over the years?
Abau District has some of the very poor road conditions which has been posted over the years by his people. And yesterdays PC, someone posted the poor state of Kerema Hospital with garbage pilled just at the back of the ward. What a big shame for the Governor who considers himself fit and has a concern for his people to move over and comment as if he is an action Governor.What a disgrace to himself. People of Gulf, use your head and elect someone who can deliver.
To cut down on unncesseary and wastage public service salary expenses, the areas to pay more attention is the employment of expatriate contract workers, especially at the lower end of the public service job market, scuh as teaching in tvet institutions. There are hundreds of expatriate contract teachers in tvet instituions who are doing the same work as national teahcers, but are very highly paid (10 times more than nationals).
Another area to look at is to reduce the salary, perks and privileges of 133 Members of Parliament by about 10%. This could create a savings of about a K1 billlion annually.
Another one is to restructure and amulgamate government departments and agencies who seem to carry out duplicate functions in order to cut down on operational costs.
And also freeze overseas recruitment of contract workers for some time, unless there is an acute need for specialists in medical, science and engineering professions, or professionals in higher education institutions, such as universities.
The Correctional Services, to make payments for the ex-service personals since than, the management systems of pensioners were poorly administered by the Correctional Services officers in the office,
Please think about the Ex-Service personal who contributed immensely to the development of this nation.
Government of the day must address all corruption practices now under the laws of God Almighty. With due respect to our PM we pray that God will help you to empower you to do away with corruption in this country first within the Government first.
Of course, inflation is very high and we are facing very difficult times but our leaders (Parliamentarians) were not seen the other side of the coin …All leaders, citizens, business partners, consultants etc..have been mentioned INFLATION/ INCREASING PRICE of GOODS AND SERVICES ..its all about demand vs. Supply so don’t..forget that INFLATION is here to stay with us. The prices of goods especially the food items will continue to increase or decrease generally, it depends entirely up on the actions and mind set of our very own people and our elected leaders.
Personal views are:
1. Our elected leaders should be providing the start-up capital to start agricultural activities especially agricultural farming tools & equipment, planting materials etc.
2. All unemployed citizens should be going home to our own home Districts to involve in agricultural activities.
3. Our local MP should be allocating some funds available for farmers to easily access through District Manager.
4. National Government should allocate more funds for Agricultural Extension and Training purposes through DAL, NARI, / other International Development Partners such as World Vision, etc.
5. Agriculture Minister responsible should find and arrange market for farmers to access.
Others like good road accessibility etc..but to conclude, main idea and solutions to inflation in our country is; we all Must go Home to dirty our fingers to grow our own food, it returns more income earnings, create self-employment opportunities, boost economic, create self wealth etc.
Uphold laws of the land.
The current state of our Government is inter-messed with cowardice, self-pity and dishonesty that is mechanizing pathways to greed and unjust.
I appeal to the current 49th Anniversary Government of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea that complacency and such instinctive behavior should reside and must start caring for the Nation.
Apart from the pros and cons based on the Government of the day deeds;
Strengthen the Educational Sector for Literacy Rate wise will reduce Law and Order issues and more importantly mean poverty level.
Moreover, embracing the Health Service Sector is the foundation for the growth and wellbeing of this Nation.
Furthermore, rehabilitation of Royal Constabulary/Defense with further Treaty engagements with respect to common wealth identities for the emphasis of law and order enforcement and the guidance of our sea’s and mountains border is essential for a though governance.
By considering building and strengthening the pillars of our Constitution through a steadfast foundation I believe this rich Nation will excell without ease.
Thankyou.
(Concern Youth)
I agree with former MP Tom Amaiu’s call for a guided democracy for Papua New Guieana. Given the the state of escalating law and order problems as a result of fast phase of modernising a relatively last frontier of a third world country like PNG, a free democracy seems to be not workable.
Guided democracy will be more in line with our traditonal Melanesian way of maintaining law and order, in which everyone in their clans, tribes or comunities is bound by certain customary observations, practices, policies, guidelines and rules that they ought to abide by in order to live in harmony with one another. And many a time some of those traditonal policies and rules are very tough to impose on the offender(s). For instance, if you kill someone, it is tooth for a tooth and eye for an eye concept. That is why we see huge compensation demands and payback killings in some parts of the country.
In a traditonal sense, this is an unwritten law being applied on the offending party to get even with the grieving party. And through observation and understanding by society in general, it sort of deters them from commiting the same offense.
So guided democracy will be more consistant with our customary laws of settling issues traditionally.
My opinion:
Most citizens were talking about our elected members to the Parliament were inconfience and corruption etc. in public offices, I suggested that the office of Electrol Commission should set a policy in place regarding entry requirements for contesting in election.
1. Qualification -minimum Bachelor Degree any field
2. Police Clearance- No evidence of criminal offence in any case
3. Citizenship- No Daul Citizenship holders allowed
4. Former Employees- Terminated oficers/managers shouldn’t be contest
5. Religious Leaders – Priest/Pastors of any denominational groups must not contest
6. Others..
Note; Must be planning in advance..for the good of the country.
RE: READING CULTURE LACKING
I wholeheartedly agree with the author. Whether we like it or not, English remains the #1 Language for Education. It is evident that people who cannot arrange words to make complete sentences have good English grades on their certificates and make it to universities. How can we compete and participate internationally if we lack the medium of communication (English)? Our education system needs to capture strategies where teaching and learning of English effective. One strategy is enforcing reading culture as pointed out by Tony Kip.
Extortion of money at checkpoints is real and becoming a norm for police officers. It is not only done by the responsible ‘Traffic Unit’ of RPNGC but by all units or for that matter any one in police uniform.
The regular checks by police are good for public security. It must be done, however, in the true context of policing. Police hierarchy definitely needs to investigate for this seemed allegation which is actually happening.
One only has to live in the border region to understand why the good governor of WSP has done what he has done. It was done for a good reason. So, what has happened has happened. Let’s not cry over split milk. Forget about it and let’s move on – PNG, as a united nation.
I totally agree 💯 with this statement and I commend the for giving us the root of our Law and Order issues faced in our Nation’s Capital.
In addition, I propose that Head of State should be given the powers under state of emergency of National Importance of the Country’s interest base on the Judiciary advice to either dissolve Parliament and call for new election or power to dissolve the Government of the through the office of the Prime Minister to resign and election of new Prime Minister to be convened by himself with the assistance of Chief Justice and his officials to conduct the process.
Once this Article is very clear and very well articulated 🤜💯🙏.
God bless our beautiful country ❤️🙏🥲💔
In recent times, issues of national significance—spanning social, political, and economic domains—have been escalating under the current political leadership. Despite these pressing challenges, NGOs, watchdog organizations, unions, and tertiary student groups have remained conspicuously silent, failing to fulfill their roles as advocates for accountability and change. In stark contrast, the opposition has been actively and effectively executing its duties.
This collective silence raises a critical question: why do we, as a society, remain passive in the face of imminent and potentially worsening consequences? Our inaction not only enables the status quo but also jeopardizes the future stability and prosperity of our nation.
Humilaveka Hilltop
On a positive note, go the Kumuls and any other PNG teams in the NRL.
We are on your side.
Why cannot politicians focus on their sworn tasks rather than playing games in the Courts? Do they do any real work?
Ask their constituents that question….we all know the answer..
And check out their hotel bills.
With the NZ ginger market, yes, we considered this lucrative market, when I was with FPDA and we did arrange a trial export to NZ back in 2007. We exported the best rhizomes from Sogeri via air and got these onto several NZ supermarket shelves. Consumers reaction was great. Our ginger got sold out faster, than the Thai ginger which dominated NZ market at that time. Unfortunately, for our ginger, the landed cost was higher by NZ$2 and more. Thai ginger was also attractive as PNG ginger, but it had the comparative advantage of being cheaper by NZ$2. Another downside was that the PNG domestic ginger market price was at K9, equivalent to more than NZ$4 to NZ$5 at that time, thus pushing the overall landed cost high. The third downside is that the supply side was weak. Production was small and hence could not be able to meet the export market requirements of supply consistency in volume and quality. Given these factors, we considered that PNG was not ready to export ginger at that time and hence refrain from making a big fanfare about the potential.
I do not know if FPDA has been able to prepare farmers in Sogeri to reach a status of export readiness or not yet? I will not be surprised, if the taro and even the tumeric exports faces the same dilemma as ginger. Taro export, once attracted allot of media coverage and positive media comments, but I am not sure if the export of taro is still going on regularly? My piece of advice. Before making a great fanfare about export potential of emerging crops, PNG must first do a trial market run to verify the viability for export, before going to media. My honest opinion is, PNG food production is very much subsistence oriented and therefore cannot meet the rigors of the international export markets. Allot needs to be done by our respective agencies, than what is currently being undertaken, if we are to confidently venture into the export markets and stay there over a long haul.
About time the Quick Thoughts was refreshed with more recent thoughts.
Papua New Guinea stands at a pivotal crossroads, where the dual challenges of soaring unemployment and a burgeoning population converge to form a volatile and potentially destabilizing force. This dangerous mix is not merely a socioeconomic issue but a looming national crisis, one that fuels rising crime rates, deepens social inequality, and threatens to erode the fabric of law and order. With thousands of young people entering the job market annually, only to find limited opportunities, frustration and hopelessness are mounting across communities. The country teeters on the brink of widespread unrest unless immediate, strategic, and coordinated efforts are made. It is imperative that the government acknowledges this crisis as a matter of national urgency—one that demands bold leadership, inclusive development policies, and targeted investments in education, job creation, and infrastructure. The time to act is now, before this ticking time bomb explodes and sets the nation on a path that will be far more difficult to reverse.
Empowering Youth Through Purpose and Community Support
I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments expressed in the recent “Yu Tok” article on youth empowerment. When young people have a sense of purpose, feel they are part of something greater, and recognize their value within the community, their lives gain meaning, and they are more likely to thrive.
It’s crucial that we not only focus on providing employment opportunities but also on fostering environments where youths feel connected and purposeful. Church youth programs play a significant role in this regard, offering guidance, community, and a sense of belonging. Therefore, I believe the government should actively support these programs and consider implementing policies that recognize and bolster their impact.
By investing in both secular and faith-based youth initiatives, we can create a holistic approach to youth development, ensuring that all young people have the support and opportunities they need to contribute positively to our nation’s future.
Congratulations to PNG surgeons for performing first Kidney transplant at PMGH.
A historic event!
These points highlighted are very true and I really wholeheartedly appreciate the person bringing together and making known to us what really killing our beautiful country PNG. We have a hope that day all things will changed and we will have a good society. God bless PNG.