The lack of proper dissemination of information and awareness on a matter of national importance has resulted in protests from the public and students from the universities in the country.
That was the point put forward by the Chancellor of the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) Prof. Robert Igara when speaking this afternoon at the Public Information Seminar on the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) at the Murray Barracks in Port Moresby, which was hosted by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF).
Prof. Igara made a genuine point by saying that students’ safety is important and that by going on protests on a matter that is not really clearly disclosed by the government, like the DCA, then they put themselves at risk of being arrested, attacked or even exploited by people with their own agendas.
He said as the next educated elites and the next generation of the country’s leaders, they should be privy to information like everyone else on matters of national importance, so to fully understand them and contribute meaningfully to the discussions and dialogues on these matters.
On that note, the Prof. made an appeal to the Commander of Defence Force (CDF) Major General Mark Goina and to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs Elias Wohengu, to have a dialogue with the university students this week. “We at the universities face a situation now to explain to the students. We are not taking sides; our interest is to protect them against injuries.
“The agreement’s been signed; how do we explain it to the students?” he posed the question to the state delegation and defence force commanders.
“Therefore, I am delighted that you have asked to speak to the university students on Thursday (25th May) to explain what it’s all about.”
Meanwhile, Secretary Wohengu has confirmed that they will be speaking with students on the DCA, which he said is still in the process of being ratified by the parliament after its signing.