Accepting responsibility lacking at the highest levels

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, January 31, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THOSE were the frank comments relating the lack of accountability in the country at all levels of governance from Transparency International PNG Chairman Lawrence Stephens.

He made reference to the ‘scape goat’ concept that is rife in the leadership in the country.

“Unfortunately in Papua New Guinea we do not have that acceptance of responsibility. At any time something goes wrong, we look around quickly to find someone to be the scape goat, rather than finding people who accept that they are responsible for what is happening.”

“When we allow things to take place, we are responsible. When our official leaders, elected leaders, and public servants fail to exercise their responsibility- they become responsible, or were responsible of making it happen, of not doing their job.”

“Things will change dramatically if people were held accountable of what they do.”

He made reference to the number of individuals working in political offices in the country that have records that were criminal in nature.

“You will be amazed by how many actually have records which would not permit them to be employed in places of public trust.”

“Yet for some reason people with reputations that appear to be or if not definitely are questionably keep being appointed to positions of trust, we are challenged by that. If we pay more attention to that, and if our press pays more attention to that we might help bring down corruption.”

“You are elected to public office, you are paid from the public purse, you have an obligation first to the people of Papua New Guinea, and you are obliged by that obligation to work for the people of PNG and not for the welfare of your own businesses, or that of your friends.”