The article discusses concerns raised by Northern Governor Gary Juffa about the lack of control and protection of Papua New Guinea, it’s interests and resources. Juffa expressed worry that government officials and bureaucrats are not serving the interests of the people and the country, as they are allegedly compromised by foreigners conducting illegal activities in the country. He specifically highlighted issues related to climate change, illegal logging, mistreatment of local people by foreigners, and the failure to implement recommendations from inquiries into environmental and forestry issues. Juffa questioned the effectiveness of gaining independence if the country cannot control its own affairs and protect its people’s interests. He also criticized government officials for not listening to the concerns of the local population and failing to enforce laws to protect the nation. The article reflects Juffa’s frustration with the lack of action and protection of Papua New Guinea’s resources and people.

“Who is in charge of this country (Papua New Guinea) and what is the use of gaining independence if we cannot control our country? Prime Minister, some of your Ministers are not listening to the little people, while the bureaucrats are also ignoring reports submitted to their offices for action. Why aren’t we protecting our nation and serving the interests of our people?” Gary Juffa.

WHO IS INCHARGE OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA? WHAT'S THE USE OF GAINING INDEPENDENCE IF WE CANNOT CONTROL PAPUA NEW GUINEA?

BY JEFFREY ELAPA | October 15, 2021. Northern Governor Gary Juffa is worried that the interest of the people and the country is not being served by the Ministers and the government bureaucrats. During a debate on an amendment to the Climate Change Management Act 2015 in Parliament yesterday, he said the Ministers and the bureaucrats continued to ignore the plight of the people as they compromised their work with foreigners, who conducted illegal activities in the country. Mr Juffa said climate change was unavoidable “as we already have some of the first climate change refugees in the world here in Papua New Guinea”. He said while discussions on climate change were being held, illegal logging was still continuing in the country, causing damage to rainforest systems that provide a carbon sink and oxygen supplies to the world but yet no action is taken. Mr Juffa said inquiries into environment and forestry issues have already uncovered instances of foreigners mistreating local people but the government has not taken any action. He said the second inquiry, the SABL Inquiry, came about as a result of landowners concerns over 10,000 million hectares of their land being taken without their consent by foreigners. Mr Juffa said none of the recommendations had been implemented, although K17 million was spent on the inquiry. He said the government said it would put a stop to round log exports by 2022 but foreigners were still being allowed to continue logging and exporting round logs. “Who is in charge of this country and what is the use of gaining independence if we cannot control our country?” Mr Juffa said. “Why are we allowing illegal immigrants and foreigners to conduct their affairs at will – even to the extent of manipulating State agencies to breach our laws and mistreat our own people?

“Minister (Mori), we have lodged complaint with your ministry but none of your officers have listened to the complaint and carried out investigations. “That is the same with the Forest ministry, the Lands ministry and the Agriculture ministry. “I have tabled report after report but no action has been taken – yet we are losing our forest. “Our landowners are being deprived and robbed and they do not have any say as the foreigners are using our agencies to shut them up. “They can’t even go to court because they are suppressed so what is the point of passing laws when we cannot enforce them? “Who will these laws serve when our people’s interests and rights are not being protected? He said it was worrying when the agencies that are supposed to protect the interests of the people did not serve them but continued to bow to the wiles of foreigners. Mr Juffa said many Ministers were not listening to the concerns of the little people. “Prime Minister, some of your Ministers are not listening to the little people, while the bureaucrats are also ignoring reports submitted to their offices for action,” he said. “Why aren’t we protecting our nation and serving the interests of our people?” Source: Post Courier.