With 38th independence just a day away, Sunday Chronicle reporter Matthew Vari took to the streets to ask ordinary Papua New Guineans in Port Moresby what independence means to them, and the changes that have occurred in the last year- with what they would like to see in the year to come.
Sunday, September 15, 2013 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)
Christabel Koka
Independence is a time when people get together and celebrate their culture and traditions and be proud of them. In terms changes there has been a lot of positive changes in developments, however, these changes amount to nothing if corruption is still rife in the country.
In the year ahead I would like to more developments taking place in the rural areas, and Papua New Guineans in general we should change our attitudes towards each other.
Peter Kupal
It is sovereignty, ruling our self that we are mature to be on our own. The PM has made a lot of changes, both good and bad. Some that will benefit us all and others that’s only benefit a few.
What I would like to see in the coming year is a change in the education system where students are given quality education not quantity. Coming from the government education system, I see the huge difference in private education.
It is good that the government has given free education but they must be equal emphasis on facilities, welfare of teachers, and incentives. They must balance things in orders for them to archive their goal of an educated population.
Safak Deliismail
Being person from another country (Turkey)and a principle in a private school in this country I see that your independence is deeply rooted in your culture, and I am proud to be a part of my students’ cultures.
PNG has over 800 languages and sets of cultures, people outside may see it as a disadvantage, but when you look at countries like the USA where people from all over the world live together in one big melting pot, that is one of the most successful countries in human history.
My thoughts as an educator in the country are that the Papua New Guinean student can be very successful if he or she is given the right opportunities and facilities. Some of my students have excelled back in my home country and they have impressed over there.
And in terms of my bilas I know where it’s from and today I am a Simbu man.
Sobo Akuani and Vesley Kwale
It is freedom that is a blessing. When you look at other countries or places like Irian Jaya where they are fighting for their freedom than you realize how blessed we got it on a golden platter. Little things like freedom of speech are what independence is all about.
A lot of changes have occurred in the city, with the free education and LNG has impressed, bringing in development in area that have never seen services, creating opportunities.
But at a national level we see that the government has too much of a say in terms of investors coming in the past year, no one really benefits from these people.
In other provinces a lot of work needs to be done, where just like the city corruption is rife. In the coming year we have to better manage our resources. 38 years is a long time and we are not getting any younger.
Imo Hadassh Rae
I am proud that we are independent. We are a free country where you can do anything you want. The city of Port Moresby itself has seen a lot of changes- the roads, cleanliness, and surprisingly the city itself is slowly but surely becoming safer. The mindsets of our men folk have improved in the last year.
As a woman I would like to see more emphasis placed on this special day by our various business houses in the city. In terms of the special given on PNG products and services to promote this important occasion in our calendar, just like what the Waterfront Supermarket did during the US Independence Day where all products from the country were slashed which is an indicator of the respect manufacturers over there have for their big day.
Lewa Tina
It is a day to celebrate, a day that everyone in the country must take time to recognize.
In terms of the good things that have happened, I have seen a lot of good being done by our PM and our city governor, they have made decisions that others in power would be afraid to do.
The only thing I would like to see in the next year is that as a taxi driver I believe that where there are proper roads, good developments take place. So the responsibility is on the city authorities.
Rodney Kila
It is our freedom of speech, our freedom of movement. We are so unique in culture unlike the rest of the world; our independence is alive through our various cultures that are displayed with pride.
A lot of changes have occurred in the last year, with the building of roads, building that are popping up on a monthly basis, not forgetting the immense contribution LNG brings.
Our failures for the year I would say would be the asylum seeker deal that went down between our PM and Kevin Rudd, we’ve put someone else’s needs above our own.
Shalima Temu
Independence is all about culture, unlike any other time of the year this is the only time the nation reflects on what we have to what we are losing just by looking at the changes to our traditional practices and costumes.
Personally nothing has changed, you may talk about the development taking place on the outside but in reality no one has developed the person with something to enhance their lives.
Governor Powes is talking about banning buai, but what about the people who rely on it to survive, ranger chase people trying to make a living like dogs. Another thing that I would like to see improved in the coming year would be the cemetery down at 9 mile. I think we should respect the dead, and the state that the cemetery is in is a disgrace. We should be employing youths to clean around there and give the place some decency.
Lydia Kora
It’s a happy time for the country, which is why I am proud to wear our colours. A lot of changes are only happening in the cities, not only in Port Moresby but Lae also, infrastructure development is on the rise and with it comes the social problems which have plagues us for years.
I want some change on the national level in terms of the rate at which alcohol and drug are bring abused. Something must be done before it all gets out of hand. The other that authorities must address is the unecessary occurrence of school fights. We are no longer in the olden days- students should be concentrating on their studies and there must be penalties put in place to prevent these incidents occuring, because people die because of this. Its time we change our attitudes and act our age, and all this starts at home.
No comments:
Post a Comment