Parkop: Health vital for development

Health, hygiene and education are the basic principles to the well being and the development and prosperity for the people, community, city and the country, says National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop.

Speaking during a ground breaking ceremony at the Koki Wanigela settlement in Port Moresby, Mr Parkop said if we do not get these three principles right in what we do, in the kind of development and infrastructure set up, it will not benefit the people.

"Today we see a lot of investments taking place, but when we look at the lifestyle of the people, it’s still bad and low because our people have not embraced the basic principles of health and hygiene and education," he said.

"I want to promote for our people, the city and the country that health and education are fundamental to the well-being and the development and prosperity of the people.” He said NCDC and the office of the Moresby South electorate will continue to enhance the relationship and acknowledge the work of the Adventist church especially in the area of promoting health, hygiene and education as part of their teachings and doctrines.

He told the Koki Wanigela people that if they are not caring for themselves, they do not look after themselves; they cannot progress and prosper in life.

"Your health is important, it is the foundation upon which, you build your self, and you build your community, city, and province and then build a nation.

"And we are far, far away from that," he said. Mr Parkop said he hopes that what NCD is trying to promote these principles through the church will change the life style of the people and make them take this seriously. He said with the teachings of the church, promoting values and getting our people to follow those values, we will have a better life in the city. He challenged church elders to become the models and principles of the church and make sure they live by those doctrines.

"We are not building the pastors house not to have a good time and environment and to appreciate the beauty of the pastor’s house, but to ensure that the values of the church are transcend into the communities," he said.