Corruption crippling PNG, says Governor Wingti

Governor Wingti breaking the ground with a shovel to indicate the beginning of the Kerebug-Kala road sealing project.

By DAVID MURI

The resilient forces of corruption are projecting PNG to unprecedented levels, says Western Highlands Governor Paias Wingti. And the former three-time prime minister reckons the only way to cripple this evil is by electing visionary leaders who are honest and transparent in their dealings. Mr Wingti warned that PNG will fall apart like most African countries if corrupt people continue to manage the country’s affairs. He told a vocal crowd at Kala village outside Mt Hagen last Thursday that wisdom and vision are ingredients that craft a quality leader.

Governor Wingti stressed that the volume of corruption today supersedes honesty and good governance in all sectors of the country.He advised the people not to believe in cash handouts but good leadership that will transform their communities. “Don’t adore money. Money is a huge evil,” he said. He said the progress or regress of a society depended on the quality of leaders it chooses.He said corruption creeps in when people abuse their mandate to elect crooked leaders who litter them with money and goods.

“Don’t believe in corrupt leaders who dish out cash handouts. They will con you with money,” he said. Mr Wingti contended that leadership is a special gift from God but people honour money rather than leadership at all levels of society. He said Western Highlands was privileged to have good leaders representing them in the current national parliament. He named these quality leaders as Koi Trappe of Mul-Baiyer-Lumusa, Wesley Nukundi of Dei and Komun Joe Koim of Anglimp-South-Waghi. He said these are leaders who are credible and visionary who have their electorate at heart. Mr Wingti stressed that these leaders are uniting with him to change the province.

Mr Wingti said proper health facilities, good road network, improved water supply and electricity are basic services that would transform the communities.He said people should believe in leaders who deliver such projects. Governor Wingti was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the K4.6 million Kerebug-Kala road sealing. The contract was awarded to Lorma Constructions. The governor said around K130 million worth of infrastructure developments have been implemented in Western Highlands in the last 11 months.