Last night…

I had the fortune of attending a presentation on :

“OPTIONS FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA” by the Honourable Jamie Maxtone-Graham MBE, MP and Member for Anglimp South Waghi.

The presentation took place in Duncanson Hall and went for approximately two hours. The presentation by Mr Maxtone-Graham was most informative and thought provoking.

Over the past 18 months I have had the opportunity to listen to a number of PNG politicians and last night's presentation/talk was the best by far. PNG's politicians and senior bureaucrats  seem to have their heads in the clouds and are limited to puffing out a whole lot of hot air – not much else really. Lack of substance seems to characterise the PNG pollie. A whole lot of fancy words, saying a few things over and over again, policy this or policy that. What about action, implementation and some more action. The poor folks of PNG continue to be taken for a ride by their leaders. When will they wake up?

Last night's presentation was an eye-opener. Mr Maxtone-Graham is one of the 1st community leaders that I have met in PNG whom seems to have his feet on the ground. He is actually busy and working directly with the people of his electorate implementing such things as alternative sources of transport, communications and better models of governance for the rural community.

During Mr Maxtone-Graham's talk I was reminded of what I heard Dame Carol Kidu mention a few months ago at the volunteer conference on Loloata. Dame Carol stated that it was PNG's challenge to take the best of both worlds into the future : the “old” and the “new”. This is what Mr Maxtone-Graham seems to be currently putting into action. I sense Mr Maxtone-Graham to be a new style PNG politician, one that has the people of PNG at heart and not his own pocket and fame.

In the meantime… today is another day!

What awaits us?

Well… your guess is as good as mine!

I do know one thing : The best is yet to come!!