UPNG SRC clarifies student impasse
The focus of the clarification is based on the event occurred on Tuesday July 8th where the SRC President Bobby Yupi clears his position, the UPNG Southern Highlands and Hela students positions during the student impasse.
SRC president Bobby Yupi stated on a press release that since my swearing into SRC office, I have to the best of my able judgment and wisdom placed above all else prioritizing of my fellow student’s academic welfare.
Bobby stated that under my leadership, we approached two inter-twining controversial issues (UBS Loan and the State’s acquisition of 10.1% share in the Oil Search Limited) of national significance without the academic semester (semester 1) being interrupted in any single way.
It is stated that in the same manner the SRC was trying to address the Paraka Saga issue but few students instigated and turned everything around and caused the impasse.
UPNG SRC claims that the students on campus impasse were caused by few student instigators on an assumption basis which they saw things only on one eye but close the other.
Bobby said the Southern Highlands and Hela students took a defensive approach arming themselves with bush knifes having full knowledge of what the opposing faction were plotting against me and the state’s properties.
“The SHP and Hela students were never in support of the Government as put by the media stating SRC president with SHP and Hela students defending the Government, it is incorrect to say the Hela/SHP Students attacked the ‘THE REST OF PNG’ as was carried around by the media.
Southern Highlands and Hela Students have no ill intentions towards ‘THE REST OF PNG’,” Bobby explained on the press release.
He added that the Southern Highlands and Hela male students ran to take cover under the presence of the Police was reflective of their motives as genuinely to defend me from physical harm, the State’s properties and themselves.
It was incorrect to say they reacted so to avoid the STRIKE ACTION. That was never at all correct. Why would they do such when the student body had already spoken through the Vote of Referendum?
Meantime Bobby urged the fulltime registered students that academic year is secure and he convey regret to UPNG administration, Academic and Non academic staff association that we regret to instill fear and sense of insecurity over ther3weeks and now we look forward to a successful end of our remaining weeks of semester.
Bobby also appealed to the Government of the Day and our Parliamentarians saying that as mandated leaders you are putting your legacy on the sands of time.
We are yet to see leaders who can build the social, political and economic landscape of this nation for the future of our children and not rob this nation’s wealth.
What UPNG has come to terms with has been an indirect result of Political infighting amongst you, our mandated political leaders.
This must stop and the Parliamentary Culture to debate on issues of national significance must be rejuvenated. Over the successive years, our Parliamentary culture has been weakened and this has the potential to stir a possible civil unrest.
This is a pathetic situation, and our investors and the International Community must not be allowed to lose respect in us as individuals, leaders, Government institutions, organizations and as a nation.
