Thursday, December 24, 2009

Copenhagen a big waste of money for PNG

BY REGINALD RENAGI

THE DAILY news is very discouraging to the people of PNG. They hope for a better future for their children and grand children one day. But that one day is a long way off.
There are many problems affecting their livelihood and want the government to address their immediate needs. But the mass media hype in recent months is mostly about the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen and what we will tell other world leaders.
It’s no big deal. Everyone's being hoodwinked - ordinary people that is, but not intelligent PNGeans. It is one big cop out by the people running this country.
We have many important national priorities to address. Lately, however, these are being constantly overshadowed by a smokescreen of public statements about the Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (or REDD) scheme, a global plan to slow down or eliminate the deforestation responsible for 20 percent of global emissions., as if it is the only viable policy option available.
REDD is only one aspect of a complex global phenomenon. PNG's delegation in Denmark seemed to have no real fall-back position if REDD was not acceptable to the world's developed nations who are the biggest biggest polluters.
In the past two weeks, critics have accused the PNG delegation of not being fully prepared for this conference. They are right.
The PM and his men forgot what is the position of our parliament and Opposition. We should have included the opposition’s stance on climate change to come up with a good bipartisan paper for Copenhagen.
We also did not need a big delegation of over 40 when half a dozen people should have been sufficient. It was morally wrong for the government to extravagantly burn several millions for this conference.
Considering the alleged eight million Kina for this conference, PNG has nothing beneficial to show for it.
The public should by now be in an uproar over their government’s spending millions for some greedy people to attend a conference that will not even reach any viable agreement. This is a total waste of money.
The people could have used this money in many needy areas. Our women have been crying out for a cancer machine for years. Teachers and nurses need a pay rise to meet the rising cost of living. PNG’s national security situation is appalling and needs much improvement.
With a tough year about to end, the people could do with some spare money now to enjoy a nice Christmas roast in this festive season.
Come on, Papua New Guineans, can’t you see they are laughing at our expense? Let us get rid of these greedy people in 2012.

4 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:56 PM

    Reg Renagi writes about everything and nothing and long ago turned himself into the sourest grape who should not be given serious consideration. This man carries a huge chip on his shoulders against people who succeed in life or outmanouvre him. He also carries a equally huge hangover from his less than colorful military tenure. Get real, Reggie Boy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Billy Graysonie4:15 PM

    Totally agree with Reg that we have just wasted a lot of tax payer's money going to Copenhagen. More Papua New Guineans should speak out on the way PNG is being run by leaders whose conduct is questionable.

    I do not know what this unknown coward called Anonymous is talking about as it is very unrelated to the Copenhagen piece by Reg. Have the guts and make some good constructive criticism on the recent climate change conferefence as you seem to have grudge over nothing. You are the one with the chip on your shoulder not the professional person you are saying things about.

    Obviously you do not have anything about reg or his military background. Next time write your real name and write something sensible that will benefit PNG.

    If you do not have anything constructive to say about people who write to help PNG and its people than don't say anything at all.


    Bill Grayon

    Lae, MP

    ReplyDelete
  3. Reginald Renagi4:22 PM

    The Editor


    Dear Sir/Madam,


    EDUCATION REFORMS TO MEET PNG's HUMAN CAPITAL NEEDS

    The present so-called education reforms in the form of OBE have not satisfactorily met the country’s expectations since being first introduced in PNG. In the past two years, despite an uproar by the PNG public, the government is not really listening to the people’s cries for a better affordable education system.

    Despite much widespread public criticisms against OBE and that it has failed in some developed countries like the US and Australia, and now in PNG; the-powers-that-be in Waigani are like ostriches with their heads still firmly stuck in the sand.

    The government and Educational department are ignoring this for fear of losing free AusAid funded projects all over the countryside. The Education Secretary is still allowed to champion their strategy through many public addresses. This is despite numerous criticisms by some credible PNG educationalists debunking the virtues of OBE, and that it is a failed educational system being forced upon the people of PNG by Australia and its own government.

    A strong public perception prevails that this is yet another smart AusAid trick, or cunning Australian foreign policy strategy to deliberately make PNG and its people be slow to catch up with the rest of the world in as far as their overall educational development is concerned.

    This assessment may be correct as AusAid keeps pouring in more millions every year to a flawed educational reform product in PNG. The overall national results have for some time now shown a negative outcome. The results are most discouraging and proving quiet detrimental to PNG's long term human capital growth.

    What we really need a simple basic plan that is not too resource-intensive. One where the educational product can be easily delivered achieving the desired outcomes in a most cost-effective and efficient way for the people. The desired solution should be adequately achieved regardless of what level a better designed educational product is delivered at: in rural PNG, urban centers, at primary, secondary, tertiary and vocational levels.

    To prepare for future challenges, PNG requires a sound workable education system that can at the end of the training funnel turn out students to be well balanced and quality trained person ready for the challenges of the labour market. The system must prepare our young people to be given quality education and training to a satisfactory level where they can be critical independent thinkers in the community; and where they can be gainfully engaged in both formal/informal job market sectors.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mary Sibona4:46 PM

    Good comments Reg. I hope PNG does much better at next year's climate conference.

    Anonymous's comments are a load of bulldust. It is totally unrelated to what Reg Renagi is saying. Anonymous has a big chip on his shoulder for nothing and has no real knowledge of Reg's colorful military career. There are not many like him who are best trained and professional than many of his peers who get appointed through political patronage. Reg does not play that game and has served his country very well with distinction, dedication and commitment than many senior officers in government.

    So Mr. Anonymous get real wil ya, and say something that will help PNG and what its leaders should do in future.

    ReplyDelete