Transforming PNG's Cities: From Crime Hubs to Economic Engines

TOWNS AND CITIES ARE ENGINES FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH AND NOT HUBS FOR POVERTY AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITY 

by Lucas Kiap - PNG Anti-Corruption Movement (PNGACM)

Port Moresby is ranked 4th as the city with the highest crime rate in the world. We are not only ranked the highest in corruption but also in crime rate, development index and everything. All these reflects largely on the leadership of the country. 

Yet cities and towns are economic hubs, and have always played an important role in a nation’s growth by providing investment, employment and trade opportunities, as well as improving connectivity with rural and urban areas. 

Today, global competition for investment, trade, and talent is increasingly between cities, making it very important to invest in cities in order to attract and retain investment, create employment and business opportunities.  

However, lack of planning and littered with rubbish, pothole filled roads, substandard and rundown buildings, towns and cities in PNG remain unattractive and unsafe to attract and retain investment and tourism. 

YET no government in the history of this country has ever come up with a vision and plan to ensure PNG’s towns and cities are developed into liveable and competitive modern towns and cities as economic hubs to create employment and business opportunities, to improve connectivity with rural areas, and to promote trade and investment in the country.

We need to invest heavily in our cities and towns as part of a broader economic growth strategy for the country to attract and retain investment and create employment and business opportunities, in order to meet the growing needs of the increasing population of the country both in urban centers and rural areas. 

Towns and cities need to be master planned, reconstructed and modernized, connecting them with districts towns and connecting district towns with LLG ward suburbs, thereby improving connectivity with urban and rural areas. This will result in our people living and enjoying in modern, safe and peaceful neighbours in well connected cities and towns.

Thank you,