“No Place for Hate”: Deputy PM Rosso Calls for Unity in PNG
Deputy Prime Minister and Lae MP, Hon. John Rosso, has condemned the rise of hate and racism in Papua New Guinea, urging citizens to embrace unity and mutual respect.
“We must always support and promote a UNITED PAPUA NEW GUINEA first and foremost,” Rosso stated, addressing concerns about ethnic divisions on social media and WhatsApp forums.
Acknowledging PNG’s vast cultural diversity, he reminded the nation that unity comes with challenges but must remain the goal.
“No country in the world has such diversity. As such, there will be issues that we need to resolve on our journey. Nobody said it would be easy.”
On law and order, Rosso rejected the stereotype that crime is tied to one region.
“Yes, there are undesirable people that cause problems in our cities and towns. But they are not only from the Highlands region. We have troublemakers from Momase, Southern, and yumi yet tu in Morobe.”
He highlighted the government’s efforts to manage urban migration through land reform.
“Speaking as Minister for Lands, Government is working to convert settlements into suburbs by working in partnership with landowners. It is a slow, tedious process that may require changes to existing guidelines.”
Rosso also reinforced the crackdown on crime in Lae.
“Police will not be lenient on criminal elements and people who knowingly choose to disrupt the lives of residents.”
He urged all communities to respect local customs and the traditional Ahi landowners, saying, “We must respect the Ahi Landowners first and foremost… their forefathers graciously allowed Lae City to be built on their land.”
