Our optimism, at times euphoria, was, of course, not quite justified. We all underestimated the power of the multinationals and the corrupting effects of power.
(Ulli Beier, reflecting on “the scene” in Port Moresby just before Independence)
**
Number of doctors in PNG:
In 2000: 275
In 2003: 191
**
- Few weeks ago: finance portfolio stripped from well-performing MP and passed on to corrupt Minister rumoured to keep PM comfortably endowed with cash
- Today: finance portfolio through latter Minister set to give out 35.6 million kina to MPs in open cheques (approx $400,000 each); they don’t have to submit project proposal or expenditure summary. It’s interpreted as $$$ to spend on getting re-elected next year.
- Today: magistrates desperately need $65,000 kina to fund leadership tribunals (charges and investigations into alleged crimes committed by leaders ie politicians).
[Don’t like their chances]
**
“The old men want to eat rice and tinned fish before the die. That’s the only thing they think about.”
[Young person I spoke to today. Oil has been found in the village. The community elders want to sign the first contract that's been offered by an international company - the one who found the oil. There's no thought of what they're signing away, as well as what they're signing up for. They don't even want to get a second opinion, or future payment options: they want cash, and they want the cash now. The young in the village are fighting to be heard, worried about the realities of development, thinking about local precedents.]
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