Ambai
Tales from the kiap times – The moss forest

We’re on road to failure, says Sir Nagora on the campaign trail

Bogan_Sir NagoraOUTGOING University of Technology Chancellor and former Taxation Review Committee chairman Sir Nagora Bogan has announced his intention to contest the Lae Open seat in 2017.

He made the much-anticipated announcement in front of a crowd of more than 300 people at a fundraising dinner in Lae last Saturday.

Sir Nagora also revealed his vision for transforming Papua New Guinea, which he fears is headed down the pathway of becoming a failed state.

The audience included former prime minister Sir Julius Chan, National Party leader Kerenga Kua MP, New Generation Party leader Bire Kimisopa MP, Lae business leaders and representatives from Lae civil society.

Sir Nagora said he offered a wealth of experience in both the public and private sectors.

He said PNG was going down the pathway of a failed state if it did not transform for the better.

“We have spent money that we didn’t have,” he said.

“Now we are struggling because we thought we would have wealth.

“I foresee that if we don’t get it corrected, maybe 10 years from now we are headed for catastrophe.

“To benchmark that look at some African countries; the journey that they have taken.

“Many of those countries became stuck in a position where they could not pay off their debts. “If we are not careful, we are heading down that way.

“We will have the distinction of being a country that failed – that’s the reality.”

Sir Nagora said a total transformation was needed to save the country.

“I think the time has come that the old line of thinking – where policies are articulated in the absence of people out there like the private sector and civil society – must stop,” he said.

“We have bureaucrats in Waigani making policy decisions that will affect you and me, yet, some of them have not even got out of the comfort of Waigani and gone out and seen the reality.”

Sir Nagora offered suggestions to save the country.

“The key thing is to unlock the economic potential that we have, by having in place a clear policy to diversify the economy,” he said.

“Let’s concentrate on economic diversification.”

Comments

Feed You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

Ben Jackson

The irony in Michael's metaphor is that a majority of Port Moresby residents have been without water for the last week.

Philip Fitzpatrick

Bit like what's happening in Australia Paul?

We're all in a ship with no rudder and a frog for a captain.

Where is Susan Merrell when you need her?

Never mind, Trump will blow us all away next year.

Paul Oates

At what point does one measure failure? When the vessel actually sinks or when it is in imminent danger of sinking?

All I see from this report are platitudes and hyperbole. Exactly where is the leadership needed and an effective program to fix the problems set out to evaluate?

Maus wara tasol yia!

The current captains of the ship of state are hopelessly devoid of any idea of what to do. They are being advised by those they have chosen who will not rock the boat. 2017 seems destined to only promote more useless movement of the deck chairs around the deck and putting up more colourful streamers and bunting to obscure the view of the passengers and calling that progress.

Meanwhile those who are profiting from those who are taking control of the steering wheel are finding it so laughable as to how easy it has all become.

A coral reef in the distance? Hey! Who cares? Just bring on more of the same 'gris moni' and free trips overseas.

Michael Dom

PNG is already wallowing in the mire of economic ruin and social disorientation.

There is tremendous ongoing suffering.

The reflections are found in spirituality and leadership depravity and continued crises.

This ship is sinking very slowly in deep water.

People and public resources are in the water.

But there is a long swim to the rocky coastline.

Any actions taken by political leaders now are to save as much and as many as we can.

It is the tide of humanity suffering under economic slavery, educated in depravity, festering on cultural ulcers, which will dash itself on cliffs of modernisation.

We'll see who rises from the surf and debris beyond the wall of rocks.

We need a better story of hope and determination if we expect to save our souls.

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Working...
Your comment could not be posted. Error type:
Your comment has been saved. Comments are moderated and will not appear until approved by the author. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Working...

Post a comment

Comments are moderated, and will not appear until the author has approved them.

Your Information

(Name and email address are required. Email address will not be displayed with the comment.)