PNGBLOGS

OP.ED PAPUA New Guinea is ill-prepared for the impact of LNG. Up to now, the project has been thought of as something that might happen and that, if it did, it would impact the financial and economic sectors of the country and little else. Such thoughts are drawn from the shallow pool of ignorance and PNG pays a hefty price for ignorance. Ill-prepared, both as a government and as a people, the full benefits of any resource project have overflown PNG entirely, leaving it to flounder in their wake and fighting over pet fodder such as royalties and taxes while the prized steak in substantial control and ownership and, in major spin-off contracts, have been left in the control of the multi-national conglomerates. Bougainville, Ok Tedi, Misima, Kainantu and Kutubu oil have come and go. There is absolutely nothing to show for them. The reason is simply ignorance. Ignorance and a rather peculiar reluctance to learn from past lessons. That especial, if tragic, trait of PNG’s persists today and

OP.ED PAPUA New Guinea is ill-prepared for the impact of LNG. Up to now, the project has been thought of as something that might happen and that, if it did, it would impact the financial and economic sectors of the country and little else. Such thoughts are drawn from the shallow pool of ignorance and PNG pays a hefty price for ignorance. Ill-prepared, both as a government and as a people, the full benefits of any resource project have overflown PNG entirely, leaving it to flounder in their wake and fighting over pet fodder such as royalties and taxes while the prized steak in substantial control and ownership and, in major spin-off contracts, have been left in the control of the multi-national conglomerates. Bougainville, Ok Tedi, Misima, Kainantu and Kutubu oil have come and go. There is absolutely nothing to show for them. The reason is simply ignorance. Ignorance and a rather peculiar reluctance to learn from past lessons. That especial, if tragic, trait of PNG’s persists today

PNG EXPOSED BLOG Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister has gone on the record to complain about criticism of him and his family (see the Radio NZ report below) . “People are bitter. PNG has lost its sense of decency and it is a poison that could destroy the country” says Michael Somare. But his attempts to somehow paint himself as the victim of outside forces betray the fact that he, more than anyone else, is responsible for this sorry state of affairs. Michael Somare has been Prime Minister for the last eight years. As well as ignoring the corruption of his fellow Ministers and senior bureaucrats, he has tried to place himself and his family above the law by fighting Leadership referrals through the courts and ignoring inquiry findings. Somare and his family have enriched themsleves at the expense of ordinary Papua New Guineans and show no compassion – his K130 million private PMV is only the most obvious example.  Somare is the one that has treated Parliament with complete cont

PNG EXPOSED BLOG Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister has gone on the record to complain about criticism of him and his family (see the Radio NZ report below) . “People are bitter. PNG has lost its sense of decency and it is a poison that could destroy the country” says Michael Somare. But his attempts to somehow paint himself as the victim of outside forces betray the fact that he, more than anyone else, is responsible for this sorry state of affairs. Michael Somare has been Prime Minister for the last eight years. As well as ignoring the corruption of his fellow Ministers and senior bureaucrats, he has tried to place himself and his family above the law by fighting Leadership referrals through the courts and ignoring inquiry findings. Somare and his family have enriched themsleves at the expense of ordinary Papua New Guineans and show no compassion – his K130 million private PMV is only the most obvious example.  Somare is the one that has treated Parliament with complete