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I was once told that, India was one of the countries experiencing cheapest internet rates. It is very unlucky for PNG to experience a very high rate. The growth for Digicel in PNG is remarkable, comparing to other countries in which Digicel operates. Within only 10 years time, Digicel PNG already has a market share of half the population. It is my assumption that, in the next only five years, digicel PNG will cover almost the population. PNG government need to have a well structure strategy by inviting some competitors into the Telcom industry. I personally, experienced a very hard time coping with the rates of digicel. It very high. Like, a 6 minutes talk time for a K3. 00 flex card. The data bundles are also expensive. With the services not fully operational, bundles are another cost. Digicel with it agressive approach, it dominate the industry now in PNG. Even, the very Media owned by PNGans has been taken over, like Play Box. Look, the government can have some competitors like A-Tel in 2014 or others across the world, or subside locally owned company (B-Mobile) by simply building more transmitters around the rural areas. That suppose to be a long term investment. PNG government have the potential to generate some good revenue, I believe with the merge of Telecome and B-mobilee will. But, in India as I mentioned, the rates are very cheap because there are many telecommunication companies operating in the cities and towns. Where there is competition, there is market equilibrium. The Marape - Steven government has a bigger tasks of bring down economics debt, and also a broad base revenue base to be established.

Every report we receive about poverty either in PNG or any third world nation from western scholars is simply written from capitalist lens. Any report that continues to measure poverty in developing countries including PNG on the basis of income per capita, as this report shows, is pure capitalism. By now we should know that the true wealth of a person is not measured by how much a person has or how many dollars s/he can receive in a day. A true richness is measured by level level happiness (refer to UN Happiness Index).

Thanks for the insights

Those are fair comments, both from an external point of view which looks at the overarching contributing factors which did force the PM to step down. The other reason the people of PNG saw and wanted their MPs to withdraw from supporting P. O'Neill's government was systemic endemic corruption encouraged and allowed to take deeper roots in the upper class government bureaucratic and even higher up. That trend caused massive disservice to the country. The projects for which the money was borrowed for never started. eg, Upgrading of Highlands Highway or any other road systems. Job creation is a direct result of investments to encourage economic activities in all sectors. That didn't happen in PO time. The country is now in much worse economically much than it was when PO took over as PM for 8 years. PO does not deserve being credited as the longest serving PM of PNG for his sound economic policy and management and good governance, but his longer term as PM was due to him encouraging, participating and rooting corruption at high decision making places which is affecting the country now.

This is somewhat a more simplistic and realistic approach to analysing somewhat a more complex economic situation in PNG. What the new government needs now is a new team of economic experts to do a situational analysis of where we are now in the national, regional and international stage and chart a way forward. Another main area would be to strengthen the public service and the criminal justice sector to curb law and order situation and make way for criminal justice of crimes committed by public office holders at the political and executive levels. One more thing that needs to boost our economy is to put our people back to work in primary production and industry and develop local resources. Once we have a bulk of our population working, we can truly become truly independent by relying more on local produce. Increased export of agricultural produce in raw materials as well as processed items are a sustainable means for economic boost. PNG needs good governance and prudent management of its limited resources and one such resources is it's human population. It is a sad fact that since PNG relied more on Mineral and oil and gas export revenue, the revenue generated from export of primary production dropped drastically. This tells us that PNG has gone way out of its safe zone in its economic management in terms of revenue generation. Unwise spending and systematic corruption are two major issues that need to be screened and checked in order to close the leaking taps in our national pool of Treasury.

I compare medical doctors imported from overseas to work in our medical establishments here. Our own breed of local doctors are the best in the business. They know very well the diseases that affect us and immediately know how to treat it. Same applies to our local experts in other fields. Is about time the govt engage them fully. Make use of them. They have far more to lose because this is their own turf. When given the call up, they will commit from their heart. The remuneration package will be secondary. The foreign consultants and advisers are here only for the package. They pick up the package leave when their time is up. It is time we use and empower our very own to implement govt policies and take us to the next possible level.

Your story is wonderful. You will achieve your goals and dreams one day. Keeping trusting God for He alone has plans for you. Psalms 139:13-16 & Jeremiah 29:11

Dear sir, I totally agree with your article and let me make few comments. The Prime Minister has taken a bold step in making such a comment amongst many comments. This one comment: Papua New Guinea to be a "Richest Black Nation" it requires collective efforts and total transformation attitudes from all citizens of this nation. A lot of things must happen first to allow to create a environment conducive to say and enjoy this phrase "Richest Black Nation". You correctly describe the nature precisely. In order for economic growth and development to take predominant cause, behavior and attitudes of the citizens must first be transformed and that requires every bonifide contribution. We have a real attitude problem in PNG and that in itself is already a hindrance to development. For example: Law and order issues must be reduced to zero levels; corruption deals must be eliminated completely, every citizens starting from the top to the bottom take responsibility and ownership of services and properties; etc etc.. The social aspect of peoples lives must transform and stronger and penalties for those who break laws. It must start at the top and come down. When we talk about corruption, it must be addressed at the top and draw down to the bottom. It's not happening in this country. When leaders are found guilty in some of their leadership or jobs they quickly use the legal system available to protect their interests and can not humbly accept that they are guilty. I totally believe that those nation which you listed as rich black nations have high GDP growth, could be rated less behavior and attitudes issues from the citizens. We claim to be a rich nation, which I personally agree, but it's this attitude problem that is the hindrance to prosperity.

How qualified is your Wikipedia source?

I am confused. Is PNG considered a melanesian or black nation. If black then can everyone with a little extra melanin call themselves black? We can have black India, Solomons and Indonesia.....

Tourism is a growing industry in Papua New Guinea but needs new innovative strategies to be developed with Government to make funding available.

Very interesting indeed. Thanks for sharing this. I have had few light bulb moments too as to how Social Protection in the Philippines (4Ps)could forge a stronger link to the government's Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). Probably market experts from Universities and private sectors could step in and offer their expertise.