That had all changed dramatically by two o’clock when I got picked up for work at the Post-Courier, there was already chaos everywhere.

In the morning there had been no warning that the gathering of police at Unagi Oval would trigger riots, chaos and deaths.

As we approached our office in Lawes Road, the road was blocked and outside Desh Besh, the Bangladeshi supermarket, a large excited crowd had gathered.

I realised these people, mostly from surrounding settlements, were preparing to loot Desh Besh.

This had become one of the scariest days of my life.

The irony was powerful. I recognised many of the would-be looters. They were employees of Desh Besh.

As I hurried into the Post Courier office, where security was tight, I could hear gunshots and shouting.

By three, the looters had forced open the Desh Besh door. As we watched from the safety of our office, as people young and old carried stolen food, equipment and cartons of beer to the settlement just above our office.

Mothers and girls carried bags and buckets overflowing with loot. The young men lugged beer cartons, food boxes and anything else they could carry.

This was the scene we witnessed along Lawes Road. It was a scene repeated throughout Port Moresby.

Like other peaceful residents of the city, I have been traumatised by the violence and break down of law and order.

But it turned my mind to how this might have happened. What had set normally placid people on such a course of larceny and carnage?

Many Papua New Guineans are easily swayed by rumours and misinformation. I’ve worked in the media for more than 10 years and have seen many times how information has been distorted and led to problems.

While the police had stood down from duty to protest an increased tax on their wages; most of the people taking part in the riots had no idea what the issue was.

This could be attributed to the reality that many Papua New Guineans are illiterate or semi-educated.

Educated people are more likely to analyse information and make informed decisions. There was none of that amongst the people rioting and looting, and sometimes killing, on that Wednesday.

Much of what affects our lives rises and falls on leadership. While PNG is a resource rich nation, many of its people live in poverty.

The looting that took place was a show of rebellion against leadership and the government. People are fed up with the high cost of living and lack of essential services.

Most of the people who took part in the looting live in settlements. There is much disparity between the rich and poor in this city. And settlement dwellers are desperately poor. Most came to the city to do better, yet ended up more poorer.

Most of these people eke out a miserable living as street vendors while others just loiter around the city.

Every five years, as Election Day approaches, the politicians feed them money and food in exchange for votes.

But as soon as they get into parliament and take their comfortable seats and salaries, the people are forgotten.

This is a sad state. We need leaders to make tough decisions and send these people back home to their provinces.

Port Moresby should be a urban city, not a settlement infested sub-city with so many unemployed.

As I stood in my office watching the people scurrying away with their loot, I felt ashamed.

What happened last Wednesday was a sign of the decline of ethics and morals in our homes, communities and nation.

It was a clear sign that we have lost our way as a people.

Our forefathers never acted like our fellow citizens did six days ago. They were ethical people.

But in the PNG of today we saw children as young as 10 carrying stolen store goods home. It was so sad.

We seem to be a nation of people who will do anything without thinking of the consequences. We have become a people with loose morals.

While last week’s events should never have happened, the underlying issue here is that the PNG people are desperate and our leaders do not seem to hear our cries or understand our situation.

PNG needs a new direction and that means new leadership.

Last Wednesday’s events triggers one important question: Is this the kind of country we want our children to inherit? I don’t think so.