GOVERNOR GENERAL Reverend David Tiva Kapu has urged citizens to work diligently and refrain from depending on Members of Parliament for handouts.
Reverend Kapu made this appeal during his Traditional Speech from the Throne, marking the opening of the 2nd Meeting of the 12th Parliament, Monday.
“We must work hard to earn our living,” Reverend Kapu emphasized, referencing Genesis 3:19: By the sweat of your brows, you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”
He expressed concern that the current dependency on handouts from Members of Parliament fosters a sense of entitlement within society.
This reliance, he noted, leads individuals to expect personal benefits rather than focusing on the broader delivery of public services.
“This dependency mentality poses significant challenges, and it is crucial that we address this attitude promptly,” he said.
Governor General Kapu also took the opportunity to highlight several achievements of the Government for National Unity and Transformation since the launch of its 100 Day Program on June 12, 2024.
These include:
- Signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the People’s Republic of China on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Protocols for certain products.
- Holding the first National Economic Summit.
- Signing a Labour Mobility Memorandum of Understanding with Niue for our nurses.
- Handover of Seghe Airport.
- Formalization of the Electricity Advisory Committee.
- Submission of our second voluntary national report on sustainable development goals.
Among the attendees of the speech was Papua New Guinea Minister for Communication and Information, Timothy Masiu.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Solomon Star, Honiara
