The benefits expected from the Exxon-Mobil liquefied natural gas project will not be realised unless corruption is weeded out say the Catholic Bishops meeting for their annual Conference.
“Our elected political leaders at national, provincial and local levels as well as traditional and community leaders, both men and women, have an enormous task ahead of them as we go forward. The National Government, because of the wealth PNG LNG will generate, has described an attractive dream for our nation with the PNG Vision 2050. Everyone is called upon to participate. All are supposed to benefit.”
“However, wealth that comes from PNG LNG and other projects will not, by itself, bring this dream to reality. We will not even be at the starting point until the culture of corruption, which is firmly embedded everywhere in Government and society is eradicated and a new culture of honesty, service, transparency and accountability replaces it,” the bishops said.
“Today, many who, because of their position, have access to money for themselves, they are ruining our nation. This is stealing and it is wrong. These corrupt leaders are enemies of their own people. Wise leadership, competent governance and better law and order are necessary to realise PNG’s dream. Political leaders and public servants surely know this and also know that if we continue along the path we are presently following, we are headed for disaster.”
The bishops also expressed grave concern about the state of health, education and other services. “Consider these questions - Why are health care and education services so poor in a country as rich as ours? Why is infrastructure development, such as roads and bridges, rural electrification and communications lagging behind so badly? What about governance, law and order, public service performance and political leadership? Why haven’t these things gotten better over the years? It is not an exaggeration to say the big development projects haven’t helped as much as they should have”
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Why don't we start by decreeing transparency models and
Why don't we start by decreeing transparency models and vigorously implementing or exercising these in the government system?
Could we start by drawing down to the very basics of transparency and accountability and that'd be:
1.Proactively creating transparent, standard model for defining, measuring, implementing & defending financial performance decisions including application, allocation, disbursement and spending of funds;
2. targeted and transparent reporting of information as to how (recovery) funds are being spent;
3. Defines key performance indicators and metrics to support unified approach for managing results and outcomes of executed projects
If we can legislate monitoring our activities in these accord, we can acquire knowledge which enables insight and visibility into the use and impact of recovery funds. Also will enables knowledge-driven comparisons and scenario planning across strategic priorities. Furthermore, will drives cost savings, cost avoidance and risk mitigation
The is the whole idea of promotes good stewardship and accountability.
Sadly these qualities are not being woven even into the very fabrics where they are needed. These lack of action can stem far to be abused by even our very elites on the excuse of poor government facilities to misappropriate funds. We also have noticed government ministers failing to provide acquittals therefore being referred to OC or Transparency Departments.
This is exactly what we are witnessing after 35 years of Independence, our databases in almost all departments are deteriorating at an alarming rate and nobody seem to care! This is the very essence of our lack of productivity output. C'mon PNG we are already in the 21st century! May God save us!
The points made here by mindfreak should be read in conjunction
The points made here by mindfreak should be read in conjunction with Kris's comments on the blog post "Money dished out but where is the product?". Two people who are thinking along similar lines?