![]() The PNG Secretary for National Works and Implementation, David Wereh, was the Key note speaker for UPNG Ialibu-Pangia Students Orientation, hosted on Saturday (16th May) at Tuna Bay in Port Moresby. Speaking at the Orientation, Wereh stated that twenty years ago, we had launched the vision 2050 and that vision says, By 2030, Papua New Guinea must become the Middle Income Country and the per capita earnings of a person should reach something like 16 thousand US dollars per year, per person. "That is exactly the income for the Middle Income Countries and that is the target we set. Some 20 years ago, I am seeing that the vision is going to be very tough. Something's are happening but in a very small way, step by step. "Imagine a country without a future, imagine a province & a district without a future, imagine a family and a community without a future. We need to secure the future properly. It is very important that we must know, where we want to be after 5 years, 10 years, 20 years & down the line. Where we want to take our country, our province, our district, our community and our family, we must work with some plans, otherwise we will continue to be in the wilderness. "We all know the story of Israelites, they were running around in the wilderness for 40 years within the same mountain range without getting into the Promised Land. The Promised Land was not far off, they should have made it within two to three months, yet it took them 40 years wondering around in the wilderness. "This story reflects the fact that if our intention to lead the people isn't right, honesty, transparency and accountability is lacking then our people in our district and province will continue to be wondering in the wildernesses for years," Wereh added. Wereh further alluded that, few years ago, my father Pudiya Kage was a member and during that time, I don't think they were many educated elites in our respective districts and province. They were handful of them with less educational background and yet their leadership speaks volume, they had delivered for the people on a high note. Some of the infrastructures, that we are currently using in SHP are their legacies. "In our time today, knowledge has increased, many people went and completed a higher level of education and yet nothing has eventuated in terms of delivering something beneficial to our people in whatsoever ways we can. This time, we should have delivered on a very high standard compared to what our fore fathers have done. It seems that we are still running around in the wilderness so after 40 to 50 years, we might get to our Promised Land. "Today you count the number of professionals in terms of lawyers, doctors, engineers, accountant and so forth that we have in our district and province as a whole. "If change has to take place, you now have enough man power, it must happen now. We must make it happen now and whenever we stop, you the upcoming elites of Ialibu-Pangia will carry on the legacy. "UPNG Ialibu-Pangia students, the balance of the work remain in your hands right now, you have to carry on and if we count on today, we must also count on you. You will have no excuse meaning to say that standing here will have more excuse for creating a better future. "However, the free handout mentality is killing the progress of Society's development. The issue is because as leaders and elites, we keep on making a lot of promises, yet the promises have not been fulfilled. "Why the promises haven't been fulfilled is because we as leaders and elites are making promises on Money that comes in a limited supply. "Unfortunately, you can't feed and deliver for everybody. Yes, only in the church, love has no limit, you can love everybody but when it comes to money, it becomes very difficult. In such situation, speaking truth to the people is paramount, encourage the people to work hard to earn income, change attitude etc...that can reduce the dependent rate," Wereh. Wereh went on to say that he was so proud to see the number of UPNG Ialibu-Pangia Students increasing year after year compared to the past. "It is a great achievement for our district and I think, that is a sign of us progressing in terms of human resource development. "Thirty years ago, during my time, it wasn't possible to have our own sub associations due to few number of students. We only had SHP students Union. Today, because of the increasing number of students, it is very fitting that students now being grouped into sub associations under the SHP Students Union. "As patron Jerry Agus has said already, working towards the future is very important and I want you to be proud because you are the future of Ialibu-Pangia and SHP sitting here. You are the pride of the family, community, district and the province. "During my time, the degree holders were very handful, not like hundreds of you sitting here. Always remember that you have a responsibility to make a way for the future, our future is you sitting here, your future is still coming. Today, we see only 100 of you, mark my word, in the next five to ten years, they will be one thousand of you sitting here. "When we are educated, we can talk about our own ambitions but being educated is something bigger than focusing on yourself. Then and only, you will make no difference, when you look beyond yourself, then and only, you will make a difference. You must care for others first and others will care for you.
"In the opening speech, Minister Nali talked about being disciplined and honest, and that is a testament of his own words. I trust him, I believe in him, he's standing here without any university education, he holds up to be the Deputy Prime Minister of PNG once. He has surprised this country, and can you believe that a Southern Highlander, a boiler maker, who has no University degree, rose up to become the Deputy Prime Minister of this country. "Do you believe that or not, is it possible, yes it is. Only when you underestimate yourself, when you don't have self-confidence in you, I think many opportunities will come and go by. "As you create your future today, you must first and foremost create the future of those following you, it is very important. Education without character is nothing. Yes, we can talk about education as means to enhance the quality of your life, but if you have no values attached to it, if there is no honesty and discipline, am already seeing the down side of education. The other side of education is our society, I am seeing people dividing our society, dividing our villages, there is so much hatred, we need to always find a way to work together. "Standing here as a Southern Highlander, I have seen that after completing the education journey, everyone wants to become politicians. I think this is too early, we all have a space, we all have a time to make contributions towards our people. We must learn to see how we can mobilize. What will happen to Ialibu-Pangia if we combine the knowledge and skills, by then we can transform our societies. "Transforming and modernizing our villages is key, you can't modernize our village with our own culture, it is different and it will cause conflict. "However, when you start working, you will receive a number of calls and text messages. As a member of the community, we would still need to attend to this community obligation, and if you don't do it, the security issues are real as well. You go back and the village rejects you, the fear of being rejected will give you no choice but to stand up for them. "People need to understand that money comes with work, we must encourage more work, we need to empower people, we don't need to catch fish for everybody trying to feed them rather than empower them. "I join other speakers to say that students must take education seriously, the job opportunities are getting very low so when you have the opportunity to being in the university like this, make it count. "Honesty and hardworking can set you apart and make you different. If Southern Highlands want to provide the development of PNG, there is no magic. "Everyone in this country has degree and what is the difference to human resources, production and supply that SHP wants to give to PNG, Ialibu-Pangia want to give to this country, you must be different, honest an work hard. For us who are here at the work field, we will make sure that we set that standard, so you can follow," Were said. #Albertis_Photography #UPNG_Ialibu_Pangia_Students_Orientation Next : Pregnant Teacher Recovering After Surviving Vicious Attack By Former Boyfriend Comments are closed.
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