What are the benefits of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project for Papua New Guineans?

By Tiri Kuimbakul*

I am skeptical about the benefits of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project being widely spread throughout the country. If we could not do it during the mining boom of the 1980's, what guarantee is there that this time it will be different? The same people who were in charge of the country's resources purse are at the helm of government, bureaucracy and business. It's going to be "every man for himself", as has been the experience not only here in Papua New Guinea but everywhere else in the developing world.
My prediction is that the majority of Papua New Guineans will be worse off in terms of quality of life. They may have and handle a lot of cash, but this will not translate into better living standards or a stronger society.

I see families (the basic unit of society) breaking up as men without necessary financial skills come into a lot of money (hundreds of thousands and even millions) the kind of which they have never seen in their lives. I see them squandering their money on women, alcohol and gambling - in Moresby, Hagen, Lae, Cairns, Brisbane.

I see children in the project areas refusing to go to school or skipping classes. Why crack your head studying when money is readily available? I see constant squabbling and friction between families in the project areas as people, driven by greed and selfishness, attempt to get a larger piece of the cake than everyone else.

I even see churches closing their doors as people stop coming. Why go to church when there are better and more enjoyable things to do? I could go on and on but I think readers get my point. Without possession of strong ethical and moral principles, more money means more trouble.

* Kuimbakul is a Writer/Motivational Speaker/Layman Preacher and lives in Goroka, in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Check his blog here.