Exiled from the Country They Served: The Precarious Position of Expatriate Heads in Papua New Guinea's Institutions

Introduction

The recent story of my friend Carolyn Blacklock as reported by ABC, paints a chilling picture of the perils faced by expatriate leaders in Papua New Guinea's institutions. Carolyn has deep roots in the country and a distinguished international career in finance as a consultant, and with UN institutions as an international civil servant.

Carolyn Blacklock

Carolyn who headed PNG power, the national power company, and had resigned peacefully (like myself), found herself trapped in the country, her passport confiscated, and subjected to threats and detention despite being cleared of all corruption charges. Those who lost face during her term as CEO had no hesitations to pay the police to harass her in an ultimate act of vindictiveness. Her dramatic nine-day escape, involving travel by helicopter, car, boat, and on foot, highlights the precarious position of foreigners in positions of authority in PNG.

The Honeymoon Fades Quickly

At first, there is often a honeymoon period for expatriate leaders, with traditional welcomes, dancing, and promises of support. However, as soon as these foreign professionals insist on doing things by the book, stopping favouritism and wantokism, and strictly following the rules and laws, the fierce resistance begins. I remember, for example, that it took the staffing committee more than a year to decide not to renew the contract of an employee who had sexually assaulted 3 female employees. The facts were undisputed, but he was related to my deputy the current VC.

Diverse local parties normally at odds can quickly come together in a post-colonial, nationalist sentiment, united in the belief that it is all the fault of the meddling foreigner. The traditional warm welcome quickly gives way to accusations, trumped-up charges, and efforts to force these leaders out of the country. Another case in point is Jan Czuba, the Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology, who at his own expense for 2 years had to fight frivolous accusations in court. To be fair, this is how some local leaders who fall out of grace with the Prime Minister are treated as well.

The Abuse of Power

This is not an isolated incident. There is a disturbing pattern of PNG authorities abusing the migration and legal systems to target and remove expatriate leaders who challenge the status quo and work to establish good governance. The cases of former UNITECH Vice-Chancellor John Warren and myself are prime examples. We faced trumped-up charges, slanderous attacks, and ultimately were forced to leave the country, despite our efforts to root out corruption and mismanagement. Slander is a crime in PNG, but nobody is ever indicted when it regards foreigners.

Prof. Jan Czuba

Dr. John Warren

Dr. Albert Schram

A Failure to Protect

The PNG government has consistently and intentionally failed in its obligation to protect the safety and security of foreign workers, especially those in leadership roles. Local politics, inflated egos of elected politicians, and a disregard for the rule of law take precedence over the need for ethical, competent management of the country's institutions. Until this changes, the country will continue to struggle to progress, and expatriate professionals will remain wary of taking on critical roles in PNG.

Sources

Asia Pacific Report. Retrieved from https://asiapacificreport.nz/2018/05/16/former-unitech-vc-takes-legal-steps-in-scary-png-education-controversy

Asia Pacific Report. Retrieved from https://asiapacificreport.nz/2018/08/20/second-expat-vice-chancellor-flees-for-safety-as-png-universities-turn-nasty

Expatriate v-c flees Papua New Guinea fearing for his life. (2018, August 30). Retrieved from https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/expatriate-v-c-flees-papua-new-guinea-fearing-his-life

Howes, Stephen (May 2018) The outrageous & unfounded arrest of Dr Albert Schram. (2024, October 15). Retrieved from https://www.pngattitude.com/2018/05/the-outrageous-unfounded-arrest-of-dr-albert-schram.html

Howes, Stephen (August 2018) PNG media silent as another vice chancellor is lost. (2024, October 15). Retrieved from https://www.pngattitude.com/2018/08/png-media-silent-as-another-vice-chancellor-is-lost.html

Postcourieronline. (March 2023). Fr Czuba reinstated. Post Courier. Retrieved from https://www.postcourier.com.pg/fr-czuba-reinstated