Approved for Release
IN anticipation of Papua New Guinea’s upcoming Golden Jubilee celebrations, commemorating 50 years of nationhood, the Madang Provincial Government is taking deliberate steps to ensure our public spaces reflect the unity, identity and inclusiveness that have been the foundation of the progress of our Nation.
The Madang Provincial Government is commencing work in preparation to celebrate the Golden Jubilee Independence Anniversary of Papua New Guinea in next year, 16th September, 2025. Now that I am in office I am taking steps to establish a commemorative monument for our independence celebration in Madang.
My question to Madang and the Country is that what significant plans do we have in place to commemorate and celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Country in remembrance of our nationhood and the forefathers who have strived to gain independence for our Country?
I thank the Madang Urban Locol-levet Government formerly known as Madang Town Council to have erected a monument of crosses at the Madang Provincial Government precinct. That was the initiative of the Town Council and I thank them. Now the Provincial Government has taken the initiative to redevelop the monument.
The decision to remove the monumental crosses from the precinct of our Government house is guided by a commitment to celebrate our diverse cultural heritage and the principles of religious freedom enshrined in our Constitution. As we approach this historic milestone, it is imperative that our public spaces represent the collective identity of all citizens, irrespective of their faith, religion, culture, creed or ethnicity.
The crosses, whilst significant to a portion of our community, do not fully represent the diverse cultural and religious landscape of Madang and the Country at large. The Golden Jubilee is an opportune and more fitting time for reflection on our past, appreciation of our diversity, and renewed commitment to fostering our unity.
By creating spaces that are inclusive and respectful of all our beliefs and identity, we honour the true spirit of our Jubilee celebration.
The removal of these crosses will be accompanied by installation of symbols and structures that celebrate our national unity, cultural diversity, and the shared values that bind us as one people. The initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure that Madang’s public spaces reflect the aspirations of all our people as we prepare to celebrate our 50 years of independence.
In building this new monument, it is time we give credit to and accord a proper recognition to the man himself, Sir Bato Bultin, as the first Premier and Governor for Madang with all his successors, including our founding father Great Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare, in a much bigger and better way coinciding with the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of our country next year.
It is time we put our own identity up, be it a Garamut, Claypot or Kalibobo lighthouse sculpture that may have a much significance and bearing on our culture and identity. Those crosses or whatever we may have called were not the identity of Madang and does not represent the true identity of Madang and this Country.
We understand that this decision may raise concerns amongst some members of our community. However, we are confident that in time, this inclusive approach will strengthen our unity and contribute to the celebration of our shared national identity.
I am pleased to announce that construction work will now begin to establish a much bigger and better monument signifying the identity and culture of Madang and its people on that Independence Hill at Sir Bato Bultin House.
As we move forward, the Madang Provincial Government will continue to engage with our communities to ensure that the Golden Jubilee celebrations are a true reflection of our collective journey and aspirations for the future.
