SAM BASIL WALKED THE TALK part 2

 

Soldiers bear the casket of late deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil.

A LEADER WITH A BIG HEART FOR PNG 

From a Post-Courier editorial.

AS we mourn and remember late Sam Basil, we are strengthened by the courage of SB.

There are many heroic stories of SB, campfire tales, patrol legends, Parliamentary controversies, sporting heroism and patriotism for PNG.

We are lifted and encouraged by these sublime memories and wonder in awe at his legend. 

SB was a straight shooter. In life as in politics he had no time for time wasters.

If you worked for the people of Bulolo, you either performed or shipped out. 

He was employed by thousands of people and his job was to deliver to these people.

For government services to flow, SB exercised strict regulated discipline in running the office of the Member of Bulolo.

As a man who walked the talk, SB took discipline very seriously. 

He delivered punishment without fear or favor. 

Some years ago, an uncle who was employed as an ambulance driver, felt the utter wrath of SB. 

Sent to Lae to collect medical supplies, uncle Jim was sidetracked by some rainy Lae flowers. 

Receiving news that the ambulance had not returned with the much-needed medicines, late SB went into Lae City to check on the wayward driver.

Lo and behold, as suspected, uncle Jim had decided to 'treat' a patient at a dimly lit corner of downtown Lae.

SB was outraged, and gave the ambulance driver and his patient a good workout before transferring them to the police station to be arrested and charged. 

Both were bailed after a week in the cell. Uncle Jim was terminated without pay.

Big or small, wantok or not, under SB, if you stepped out of line, there was no mercy. 

Mr Basil (left) during a visit to Bewani in West Sepik with fiery MP  Belden Namah.

As a crime fighter and anti-corruption campaigner, any smear, however big or small, was dealt with on its merits.

Administration staff respected him for his no nonsense attitude. 

In 15 years, SB changed the face of Bulolo and the commitment and attitude of his district staff.

There was no room for complacency, there was no room for ill-discipline, he had no time for big heads, all he demanded was for honesty and commitment in the delivery of services to his electorate. 

SB could not stand the thought of public servants stealing from public coffers. Anyone who asked for contract kickbacks was kicked off the payroll.

Anyone who misused or damaged a government vehicle was terminated. 

In many districts in PNG, nepotism and wantokism, the coronary foundation of corruption, are inevitable.

Mr Basil (left) with South Bougainville MP Timothy Masiu.

These thrive on the compromise of sitting MPs, some of whom surround themselves with family and friends, to cushion bad decisions and unsavoury behaviour.

Many troublemakers are still working as public servants, most being related to sitting MPs in many PNG provinces.

Allowing such behavior to go unpunished, undermines public service machinery, and hinders delivery of goods and services. 

Distrustful behavior weakens public confidence and erodes trust from donor partners. 

Sam Basil despised corruption. He made it his business to fight it tooth and nail from the day he entered Parliament. 

He believed that serious action needed to be taken against public servants to drag them back to face the realities of the lack of government services reaching rural people.

He walked and talked that toughness until he breathed his last on the night of May 11. Long live the legend of Sam Basil. 

 

The mighty Garaina Valley falls silent.