Merry Christmas to the People of Papua New Guinea, especially my people of Wau Waria District.
This year has been a very challenging year for our young and infant District.
Law and Order remains our biggest challenge. It has cost us dearly — not only in monetary terms, but more painfully in innocent lives lost, properties destroyed, and hard-earned belongings stolen.
Despite these challenges, we recorded several historic firsts this year:
We successfully celebrated Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary.
For the first time, the Biaru area received mobile network coverage, connecting our people to communication and emergency services.
For the first time, Tori and Biaru Kasangare villages were connected to the road network.
For the first time, we constructed a pilot track road into Garaina Station.
We secured a €9 million (K40 million) European Union Grant for the Wau Town Water Supply and Community WaSH Project.
These are achievements we should be proud of. However, each of them was overshadowed by ongoing Law and Order issues.
This reminds us of an important truth. Law and Order problems do not happen overnight.
They are the result of decades of under-investment in education and the gradual breakdown of the family unit. The children of yesterday are now the youths and young adults causing the challenges we face today.
Therefore, my Christmas message is the same message I delivered during our 50th Independence celebrations, and I repeat it again because it matters.
1. Build Strong Family Units
A child must grow up with both a father and a mother living together.
Marit gud. Noken marit lusim, marit lusim. Marriage is a serious and holy responsibility.
This is my open call to leaders at all levels, across all sectors and all categories. Educate our young people on the sanctity of marriage.
Mekim strongpela toktok long ol man:
Noken givim bel nating long meri.
Noken karim pikinini sapos yu no gat haus, wok, na rot bilong lukautim famili.
Dispela kain man em WEAK na LAZY man, na yumi mas tok klia long dispela.
2. Education is the Key to Success
Every child must attend school. This is not optional — it is a parental responsibility.
Education helps a child find a job or create jobs. It broadens knowledge and understanding of right and wrong. It keeps young minds busy and engaged from 8am to 3pm, away from crime.
As parents, you must ensure your children receive quality education.
Papamama husat i no putim pikinini long skul — em ol longlong Papamama stret.
These are my two Christmas messages to you.
On behalf of my wife Leonie, our children Maria, Mitine, and Worickec, and our extended family, we wish you all a very Merry, Safe, and Peaceful Christmas, and a prosperous and safe New Year.
God bless Wau Waria District.
God bless Papua New Guinea.
