By Joe Wasia*

SURE, IN THE MINDS of many Papua New Guineans, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project will bring a lot of changes into our country.  Yes, if revenues are managed and used well it will be a pillar of the economy. Or otherwise.

The question is: will our so-called leaders and bureaucrats manage the revenues from this project with the mindset of developing this nation?

PNG gained its independence from Australia in 1975; almost 40 years now. I can feel we are going backwards, fuelled by chronic bad attitudes and systemic corruption. We have a lot of self- interested and power-hungry leaders who do nothing but serve themselves.

I often ask myself whether the much talked of multi-billion kina LNG project in the Southern Highlands will really change the lives of the people. With no change in the attitude of MPs, leaders and ordinary people, I believe we will never get anywhere.  Attitude is a huge problem here in PNG.

Much of the infrastructure we see today was built before independence by the colonial administration. This includes schools, hospitals, health centres, roads, bridges, the list goes on.

These facilities are in a critical condition as they have not been maintained. Most of our people live in remote places where there are no basic services such as aid posts, schools or roads. It’s disgusting.

Goods and services are not distributed equally to the people. About two-thirds of the population is living below poverty level. Another irritating thing is the constant increase in prices of goods and services.

Basic items like rice, tinned fish, and fuel and school fees have spiked dramatically in recent years. I doubt people earning less than K500 a fortnight can survive for that fortnight in such an environment.

The people of PNG definitely know that there is something wrong in this country. However, the government keeps mentioning things like “National Alliance stability”, “kina stability”, “economic growth and boom”, “full of hope” and “PNG on the right track”.

We know for sure that PNG is a nation rich in natural resources compared to Singapore, New Zealand, Japan and many other countries. Yet, they are highly developed, and we are not.

If they can achieve such development status, what is happening in PNG? What are we going to do after non-renewable resources such as gold, copper, nickel and natural gas deplete?

What would we do if major overseas aid contributors stop giving us aid after hearing of so much mismanagement and corrupt practices in the country?

We have too many dreams without meaning. We must not expect miracles from the LNG project. If we can’t manage revenue from the existing resources the same thing will happen with LNG.

It’s about time MPs, leaders and the people of PNG stood up to put an end to systemic corruption and bribery. Otherwise, we have no one but ourselves to blame for ruining our country.

* Joe Wasia is president of the Enga Students Association at Divine Word University.