Look ahead

By Nathan Matbob

Know the past...learn from it,

Live the present...make it better and;

Look ahead into the future...strive to achieve the best.

Life experiences can make or break ones future, and we as rational beings (or so we think) have to go through this process all throughout our lives. Hence, our past shapes the kind of life we live today, therefore it determines the kind of future we may have.

However, it is not always the past that can determine the kind of future we achieve. Although the influence can be insurmountable depending on the circumstances, there can always be room for change or a complete turn around. Some folks would often say "Its been in my family for generations, its a curse..." That in itself is a direct self curse because that is how one can predetermine the kind of life he or she will live in the future.

The determination of our future is very much dependent on what we do now. If we are job seekers; we will be job seekers for the rest of our lives, if we are opportunists; we will as remain as opportunists. For Charles Reade once said;

“Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an action and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.” Charles Reade

From observation of myself and other people, we are more inclined to be influenced by the experiences of the past as we make prediction of how we will live the future. But we do not realise that our actions and perceptions we apply now determines the kind of future we will have, and not necessarily the past that determines it. This I've learnt from someone so close to my heart and I am thankful for that.

Therefore, we have the ability to shape our future and make it better, it does not necessarily rely on the negative and unforgivable past, rather it depends on what one can do to rectify the situation, bring about change and improve life now for a better future.

"Learn to accept the past and work hard to improve your future" Theonila Roka

Reference

http://foryouremergence.com/quote-charles-reade-thoughts-habits-character-and-destiny/

Where to from here?

The 2012 National Elections has passed and a new government has been formed. The parliament has now been boosted with the inclusion of some very experienced and respected citizens of the state, but we can just say "let see how they perform in this term". Madang has new faces in the likes of Madang Open Member and Police Minister Hon. Nixon Duban and Member for Usino Bundi Anton Yagama. Welcoming back two  former politicians are Hon. Tommy Tomscoll (Middle Ramu) and now Madang Governor Hon. Jim Kas. With them include returning members Hon. John Hickey (Bogia), Ken Fairweather (Sumkar) and James Gau (Rai coast).

So where is the journey from here now? Madang people have been so far spectators and observers in their own land. We see big multi million dollar deals being signed and are underway like the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone and Ramu Nickel Mine. Japan and New Guinea Timber (JANT) company has been operating since the 1970s. So far, the Madang Provicial Government (MPG) has played a small role in the planning and implementation of these projects when it should have played a major role in being the voice of the people. The MPG should now review the agreements in which these investors made with the government and push for greater equity for the people in the impact areas. So far the PMIZ has revealed many loopholes and corrupt dealings which the very people in the impacted area are not aware of. 

Another thing is that the entire Madang Provincial Administration is almost stagnant and seem to be defunct at most times. Much of the money is eaten up by these group of people who prefer to purchase landcruisers rather than sealing the roads that damage landcruisers. Health centres in the rural outskirts are closed (seen these places myself), funds politically approved for certain development projects in the province have been parked and remain idle in the treasury because of a few people refusing to tender the projects. There should be a total audit on the Madang Provicial Administration performance and may be revamp of the entire structure to create a more robust and efficient public service. 

We do not want people in the government who want to just 'get by' in their jobs, but we want passionate and hardworking citizens who would work to serve the people. This is not just for the political office holders, but the administration as well. There is no time to play the blame game, it is time to determine where Madang moves, will we move forward, remain idle or move backwards?      

When Anxiety Kicks in...

Ever had those moments when you feel that you just do not know what will happen next? Well, for many people who are at a stage of transition from one phase in life to another there is bound to be that unpleasant surreal feeling. Take final year students for instance (primary, secondary and tertiary), they apply out to their desired institutions that they want to go, they believe they have done enough to secure a place or position, or may be they have lost faith in themselves...whatever the feeling (you would know what I'm talking about). And then there are small hiccups that aggravate the situation, not necessarily relating to the build up of the anxiety but little incidents or delays that would make one more than nervous or wanting to give up. 

These are little testers in life that can either bring the best out of a person, or drive the person to the brink of, or perhaps outright failure. And there is this saying "There's a light at the end of the tunnel" however some smart lyricist up the anti by writing "...but the light at the end of the tunnel doesn't shine at the end of the day", how demotivating? Is life meant to be this way, or is it "just the way it is" as tupac declared? 

Whether we see red or blue, black or white, green meadows or a sight for an eyesore; it boils down to how we (as rational beings) perceive the future, especially when there is the element of uncertainty and doubt. The downside of having such perceptions is that psychologically it plays a fundamental part in shaping the outcome, if you feel jaded or degraded; that psychological hopelessness contributes greatly to making the outcome exactly as you would expect. For instance, there is this grade 12 student who wishes to go to university, however he feels that he will not make the GPA cut off mark (although he is an above average student) and so he does not apply, later he finds out that he exceeds the cut off mark, and worse, a friend of his that did not meet the cut off mark makes it to that university, that in itself is painfully regretful. 

What I am pointing out here is that negative perceptions can influence the outcome. I am not saying we do not pay attention to our senses, rather we must take hold and control our thoughts, build a positive relationship with reality and our psychological conscience so there is harmony in the mind and reality. Too often one would indulge in negativity and the odds of taking a chance. Having an optimistic mindset and a desire to achieve that aim creates that conducive environment to actually realising your potential, or achieving the desired outcome.        

My Thoughts on the Parliament Kitchen Cabinet

The informal economy of PNG is a thriving sector, it is a sector which has the potential to boost and drive the entire economy of PNG. We can talk about mining and its huge benefits, but in the long run, it is unsustainable.  Here are just some ideas I came up with of creating some ministerial portfolios which I believe would address the formal and informal economy domestically in PNG. I suggest that there should be three more ministries added to the current number of ministries in the parliament’s executive arm of government. Just as well, I also propose an idea to abolish a ministry which I believe is a waste of public money to keep it functioning. These are just view points from my thoughts.

The Ministry for Internal Migration and Settlements

Being that internal migration will become an issue for development in Papua New Guinea, it is important that there should be a ministry set up to address this. We are now seeing the effects of settlement problems in the urban centres all throughout the country.

This ministry will be tasked to monitor and control the domestic migration and settlements alone, so as to avoid the buildup of illegal settlements, thus; causing land disputes and costly eviction exercises.

It is inevitable that the issues of settlement and internal migration will become a challenge as modernization has brought a gradual influx of rural migrants into major centres throughout PNG. All the more, the centralization of service delivery (mostly in urban areas) has made this trend become more of a problem then a challenge, and I believe that if the government does not address the issue of internal migration and settlements in due time; it will spill over into other sectors and hinder development.

 
Ministry for Infrastructural Development and Maintenance (to replace or merge with the department of works and civil aviation)

There should be a ministry that is mandated to address infrastructural maintenance alone, and with the defunct works department; there should be a whole revamp of the capacity of this department.

I believe the Defense Force should also be allowed to have a hand in this ministry as a means to train the capacity and increase efficiency and effectiveness of the Papua New Guinea Defense Force. In this way, the military can be economically and constructively utilized to assist in the development of infrastructure of this nation. And as well it increases the outreach of the PNGDF right throughout the country and at the same time keeps them active in peace times.

Ministry for Domestic Informal Economy

Since 85% of PNG’s economy is made up of the informal sector, it is important to stimulate economic activity in this sector in order to build the domestic economy. At the moment the Ministry for Agriculture is tasked to look after agriculture and this has led to the continual disengagement of the rural sector economy.

This sector should not only look at lucrative cash crop produce (coffee, cocoa, copra, etc), but facilitate and create local markets for local producers right throughout out the nation. Locally produced goods will be provided markets internally and externally so that this stimulates subsistence agriculture and therefore I believe will encourage mass production of locally produced goods. In other words, help local people sell their produce by facilitating or creating markets both domestic and international.

This will ensure the continuity of subsistence agriculture, but with a modernized intention of creating wealth for the informal sector economy. From this we can ensure the participation of the informal sector in the development of PNG’s domestic economy.  

Abolishment of the Ministry Assisting the Prime Minister

There should be an abolishment of the Ministry Assisting the Prime Minister. I believe this ministry is using up much needed funds and as well it undermines the function of the Deputy Prime Minister’s position. The functions of the Ministry Assisting the Prime Minister seems to overlap the role of the Deputy PM, hence it should be abolished as it is a waste of money to sustain such a ministry.

Conclusion

These are just ideas which I have cooked up in my head as a thinker and a concerned citizen at heart. The underlying intention of these points of views is to stir up conversations and criticism so that I we can better understand and be more rational in thinking. I would welcome any ideas, comments or criticisms. 

The "Boi" Social Identity Phenomenon

There is this social identity trend developing subconciously among young males. "Em boi yah" "Yu  boi stret" "Bata boi man"...are a few popular remarks I receive from friends. This social identity is very much asociated with male youths, and in Madang, this has become so popular. The thing that intrigues me about this 'boi' identity among male youths is the general awareness of its existence without us realising its influence on young males. I believe that it has become a subconciously institutionalised form of social identity.

Young boys which I often associate with often would call me a 'boi' or 'boi man' every now and then I come across them. Even if walking past a group of boys having conversation, they would always refer to each other in that kind of language. It is a complementing remark as boys would often commend one and other for doing something seen as good or accepted in the eyes of their peers. "ah yu boi stret"  "boi man!" "yu boi!" are some of the popular remarks.

The question that always come to my mind everytime I hear these remarks is "What exactly does it mean to be called 'boi'? This question has led me to the concept of the Boi Social Identity Phenomenon, which is widespread, well known and a generally accepted form of identity among youths in Madang town. I have heard stories that this is not only popular in Madang, rather it is also a familiar identity used in the Sepik (East & West) and Morobe provinces as well, but I have yet to find out more on this.

It is innate for social groups to have some rules or code of conduct, whether ethical or unethical, members will have to conform to these established formalities in order to be part of the group. In this case, 'boi' groups (from my small analysis) in order to be recognised or "kisim Luksave" (as most refer to this) as a boi' and be part of the group; you have to have what they call "pasin" (way/attitude/behaviour/trait/characteristic/quality,etc) that is generally accepted by 'boi' groups.There are many 'boi' groups in Madang town, but more or less they have the same way of behaving. Therefore, if I were to be recognised as a boi in my peer group; I will have to live up to the expectation of those already in the peer group so that I be recognised as a boi and ultimately become part of the group.

This has led me to believe and assume that from these boi groups developing in and around Madang town, it has help greatly in creating negative social behaviour, resulting in youths turning to illegal/ illicit and anti-social behaviour and acts. I believe boi social groups contribute to harbouring and breeding criminal behaviour in young youths in Madang town, I will assume the same for other places outside Madang.

With the social and economic challenges being faced by many Papua New Guineans today, one can argue or dispute my assumption to say that it is the social and economic inequalities that causes youths to turn to crime, however; one would not dispute the fact that most, if not, all crimes commited are done by persons from the area (example; ol boi lo sisiak 3, gavsto, phd compund, ol mangi lo newtown, etc), and are often young and within the youth age range. Boi groups become that perfect channel for the so called 'disadvantaged' and 'marginalised' to commit crime, because boi groups provide that conducive environment for young male youths to do something they would not do alone. And they also do it because they have support from within their own group and this further strengthens their will to commit to any act.

Therefore, the boi social identity phenomenon may be a link to understanding the way youths behave. For the case of youths in Madang town, the boi identity is very much influential on young male youths nowadays as they grow into the stage where socialising and peer bonding become strong and creates more challenges for parents, community, society, and the province as a whole.