PNG’S GOVERNANCE FAILURE AND THE URGENCY FOR REFORM

PNG PARLIAMENT (photo courtesy NBC media online)

The Pacific Guardian

Port Moresby

19th April, 2025

PNG has suffered from decades of weak leadership, systemic corruption, and governance failures that have stunted its progress. The country lacks high-IQ, patriotic legislators willing to uphold the integrity of the Constitution to empower the state rather than manipulate it for personal gain.

This failure has allowed foreign entities to exploit PNG’s weaknesses, raiding its resources, influencing its economy, and undermining its sovereignty. The foundational issue in PNG’s governance system is excessive centralization. With Port Moresby at the Centre of power, provinces remain financially and administratively dependent on the national government. This dependency fosters inefficiencies, leaving rural areas underdeveloped and vulnerable to external exploitation.

Meanwhile, politicians prioritize their own interests over the people’s common good, failing to enact necessary reforms that could empower locals in business and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs).

The solution is very clear, PNG must transition to a state system, granting provinces full financial and administrative autonomy. This reform, which has remained neglected since independence, has the potential to transform the nation swiftly and decisively.

The Exploitation of Weak Systems.

Renowned philosopher Noam Chomsky once observed that there are no poor countries, only failed systems of resource management. PNG is a prime example. Despite its vast natural wealth in gold, oil, gas, fisheries, and forestry, it struggles with economic inefficiencies and regulatory incompetence.

Foreign entities, particularly from Asia, have taken advantage of weak institutions. Regulatory agencies such as the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) have demonstrated lapses in governance, issuing questionable alluvial mining licenses without due diligence. When such licenses are granted irresponsibly, they pave the way for exploitation, environmental degradation, and illicit resource extraction.

Authorities must investigate and terminate officers involved in issuing such licenses without proper oversight. Corrupt officials should be removed, ensuring that institutions function effectively to safeguard national interests.

The Need for Stringent Laws against Corruption

In PNG, abuse of entrusted office remains rampant. Political leaders, bureaucrats, and foreign business operators engage in corrupt dealings with impunity. To address this, the legal framework must be amended to enforce strict penalties:

1). Unpardonable 10-year prison terms for officials guilty of corruption.

2). Seizure of assets and businesses owned by foreign nationals involved in illegal activities.

3). Permanent deportation of foreign offenders and their families, ensuring they never exploit PNG’s resources again.

For our public office holder including MPs found guilty of corruption, a mandatory 10-year sentence without parole must be imposed. Such legislation would serve as a powerful deterrent, fostering accountability and integrity in governance.

Historical Lessons on Leadership Collapse Countries throughout history have suffered systemic failures due to weak leadership. PNG is at risk of following a similar trajectory unless decisive reforms are enacted.

1). The Roman Empire collapsed partly due to governance failures and internal corruption, leading to resource mismanagement and external invasions.

2). China’s Ming Dynasty fell because of bureaucratic incompetence and economic mismanagement.

3). India’s Mughal Empire crumbled under corruption, exploitation, and the inability to protect its resources from foreign influence.

Modern examples also highlight leadership collapse:

1). Zimbabwe suffered economic ruin due to corruption and misgovernance.

2). Venezuela’s government led its country into a humanitarian crisis through systemic failures.

3). Lebanon’s financial collapse resulted from years of corruption and ineffective leadership.

These historical and contemporary lessons emphasize the urgency for strong leadership, systemic accountability, and citizen empowerment in PNG.

Empowerment of Local Businesses and SMEs

Foreign businesses dominate key sectors in PNG, leaving local entrepreneurs disadvantaged. Authorities must prioritize economic nationalism, ensuring policies favour local business ownership. This includes:

1). Capital assistance programs for SMEs, reducing reliance on foreign enterprises.

2). Trade protections, preventing unfair competition from imported goods and services.

3). Strategic partnerships between the government and local enterprises, promoting domestic industry growth.

Decentralization: The Path to Rapid Transformation*

The most critical reform PNG must pursue is decentralization through a state system. When provinces gain financial and administrative independence, they can govern themselves effectively, addressing local needs without bureaucratic delays from Port Moresby.

Decentralization has proven successful in other nations:

1). The United States operates under a federal system, allowing states autonomy in economic and social development.

2). Germany’s decentralized governance ensures efficient management at the state level, contributing to national stability.

3). India’s federal structure enables provinces to address regional economic disparities while maintaining national unity.

By shifting to a state system, PNG can overcome bottlenecks in governance, strengthen local economies, and accelerate national progress.

PNG NEEDS Reform or Decline

PNG stands at a crossroads. The government must take bold steps to address corruption, strengthen regulatory oversight, empower local businesses, and transition to a state system. Authorities must improve governance effectively, prudently, and decisively. Systems must not merely exist as they must function optimally for the common good of the people.

It is not incumbent upon any single individual to solve PNG’s problems entirely. As Noam Chomsky stated, one's job is simply to lay a few bricks and eventually, the house will be built. However, PNG’s leaders must act swiftly, laying the foundation for transformative governance. Without decisive reform, the country risks becoming another historical example of failed leadership and systemic collapse.

It is time to act and not just discuss.