We have a choice in 2017 to end the 40 years legacy of our forefathers

Commentary By Lucas Kiap

Does it make sense for us to live in settlements; unable to afford a decent home when we have trees and forests all around us?

Does it make sense for land to be scarce and expensive when we are a very small population compared to the land mass?

Does it make sense for food to be very expensive when we have more rich fertile soil to grow enough good to feed the population?

Does it make sense for the cost of energy to be very high when we have enough energy sources (fast flowing rivers, natural gas, hot springs, sun light, wind, sea waves, etc.)?

Does it makes sense for the cost of living to be very high when we are only a developing nation?

Does it make sense for foreigners to take over employment and business opportunities when more than eighty-five percent of our population are still unemployed and has no means of earning a regular income?

If it doesn't make sense to be poor when we are abundantly blessed and surrounded with natural resources, then what more sense does it make to continue have hope in the forefathers of this nation?

All they have done is selling the nation to foreign greed, exploitation, domination and influence while they themselves walked away rich and wealthy leaving behind a poor population in a country otherwise richly blessed with natural resources.

The time has now come for us to end their legacy. We can't let foreigners and only a few politicians, bureaucrats, public servants, and their cronies continue to squander our wealth, become rich, live in luxury while the rest of us live in poverty.

This must end. We all equally deserve the best. We have every reason to deserve the best from the wealth and riches of our country.

But the dilemma we face is whether we continue to follow the footsteps of our forefathers and continue remain as slaves for foreigners and rich politicians to continue exploit us or we exercise the power of choice to end their legacy and choose our own destiny.

2017 must go down in the history books of PNG as the year of transformation and modernization. Yes we can change the course of this country for the greater good of everyone and our future.