Is Papua New Guinea's Capital the Most Dangerous City? livability of Port Moresby depends on the attitudes and actions of its residents

Port Moresby (POM), the capital city of Papua New Guinea, has been labelled as one of the most dangerous cities in the world due to the high rates of crime and violence. However, it is important to note that this classification is largely based on petty criminal offences such as holdups, pickpocketing, and knife and gun crime, including serious crimes such as rape and murder.

To make Port Moresby a livable city, there needs to be a change in attitude among its residents. It is essential to have a basic command of order in society, with every individual upholding common sense and respecting one another, the law, and themselves. These values are currently lacking, resulting in a disorganized society with high crime rates.

The development of human capital and law and order should be a priority for the city. Law enforcement agencies, such as the police and courts, need to take responsibility for controlling opportunistic crimes and ensuring that citizens are protected. The police should prioritize the protection of citizens over the protection of white-collar criminals and fraudsters.

POM has the potential to become one of the best cities in the world, but this will require political will and civil obedience. It is crucial that all residents work together to rebuild the city and make it a safe and livable place for everyone. 

In addition, there should be efforts to promote economic development in the city, as this can create jobs and improve the standard of living for residents. With economic growth, the city can attract investment, create more opportunities for its citizens, and improve its infrastructure.

Another crucial aspect that needs to be addressed is education. The city needs to invest in its education system to improve literacy rates and ensure that citizens have access to quality education. Education can also promote civic engagement and a sense of responsibility among residents, which can lead to a safer and more livable city.

In conclusion, the livability of Port Moresby depends on the attitudes and actions of its residents. It is essential to prioritize the development of human capital and law and order, promote economic growth, and invest in education to create a safer and more livable city for all.

PNG MPs Salary: Why Are MPs Getting Raises While Lower-Level Public Servants Struggle?

In Papua New Guinea (PNG), there have been many reforms taking place in various government departments, such as health and education, which have placed a significant burden on the implementers, including teachers. 

While there have been pay increases for teachers in recent years, the same cannot be said for Members of Parliament (MPs), who seem to be getting raises almost every year. 

This article aims to explore the issue of MPs' salaries in PNG and question the need for frequent increases while lower-level public servants struggle.

Reforms and Burden on Implementers

The reforms in PNG, particularly in the fields of health and education, have been challenging for those tasked with implementing them. 

Teachers, in particular, have been under immense pressure due to limited resources and increased workloads. 

These reforms are aimed at improving the quality of education and healthcare services in the country, but the burden on the implementers cannot be ignored.

Pay Increase for Teachers

In 2013, there was commendable news for teachers as a pay increase was announced by Dr Puka Temu, the Public Service Minister in the government of Peter O'Neill. 

However, this increase was backdated to January 2013 and paid just before Christmas, which raised eyebrows among the public. 

The question then arises: why do MPs get frequent raises while other public servants have to wait for years for an increase?

MPs' Frequent Raises

A closer look at the history of pay increases for MPs in PNG reveals a concerning trend. 

In November 2010, Sir Michael Somare's government unanimously approved a massive 52% pay rise just before Christmas, which was followed by another 7% increase in November 2013, backdated to January 2013. 

These frequent raises for MPs raise questions about their necessity and whether MPs truly deserve such increases.

Unjustified Increases

It is hard to understand why MPs in PNG receive such frequent raises, especially when lower-level public servants, such as teachers and health workers, struggle with limited salaries. 

The massive increases in MPs' salaries sustain their lavish lifestyles, but do they really need these raises? 

The government has also announced separate increases for public sector workers, including MPs, but it is unclear whether this increase applies to community school teachers and community health workers.

Have a look at what teachers in countries like Fiji are getting compared to PNG teachers.

Comparison of Salaries

A comparison of the salaries of MPs and lower-level public servants in PNG paints a stark picture. 

Prime Minister, Speaker of Parliament, DPM, and Opposition Leader earn significantly higher salaries compared to classroom teachers, government ministers, and provincial governors. 

In fact, the average salary of a PNG classroom teacher is compounded to be only K21,525 for the year 2014, while MPs earn much higher salaries.

Final words...

In conclusion, the issue of MPs' salaries in PNG raises concerns about the frequency of raises and the disparity between the salaries of MPs and lower-level public servants. 

While reforms are taking place in various government departments, and public servants, particularly teachers, are burdened with increased workloads and limited resources, it seems unfair for MPs to receive frequent raises to sustain their lavish lifestyles. 

It is time for the government to reconsider the justification for these raises and ensure that lower-level public servants are also fairly compensated for their hard work.