By HENZY YAKHAM

A skills trainer has singled out corruption as the biggest threat affecting proper and quality training of artisans, trades persons and all manual workers for Papua New Guinea’s workforce.

Manager of Morata Vocational Training Centre (MVTC) in Port Moresby, Hillary Damke has warned of PNG not fully realising the development aspirations of its citizens if urgent remedial measures are not taken to effectively deal with corruption in general.

Mr Damke said PNG will not achieve its development goals if urgent actions are not taken to eradicate corruption, which has become endemic and deep-rooted in all sectors the country, reaching unprecedented levels.

“We will not achieve our dreams for a better quality of life for our families, communities and nation if corruption is allowed to continue eating away the very fabric of our nation” Mr Damke stressed when expressing disgust in constant delays and at times non-release of the tuition fee free (TFF) education grants to schools and skills training institutions.

“If the government is serious it must ensure all TFF education funds are released on time and all promised grants must reached schools and not misused or stolen through along the way through fraudulent acts and corruption,” he stressed.

Mr Damke said despite the government’s over-orchestrated myth of TFF education the MVTC has been receiving the funds in drips and at times nothing at all.

Earlier this year, MVTC received only K7000 which was part of 2018 grants, but the promised funds for 2019 are yet to be released.

When the K7000 is divided for the current 329 students enrolled there, each student has K21.30 for his/her training.

“The amount is totally insufficient considering the nature of the job skills training provided considering the use of electricity powered cooking utensils, building and plumbing tools, as well and heavy duty equipment and machinery,” Mr Damke said.

He suggested TFF grants to vocational and technical training institutions should be increased up to around K500 per students.

In 2018, MVTC received K15,000.