By GEORGINA MICHAEL
The Department of Commerce and Industry launched its week-long celebrations of Papua New Guinea’s Golden Jubilee with a flag-raising ceremony yesterday.
The weeklong program, which will start on September 8 and end on September 12, was officially launched by Commerce and Industry Minister Win Bakri Daki, who acknowledged the presence of Pangu Pati general secretary Moris Toveabae and other dignitaries.
Minister Daki said: “On behalf of the Ministry, I would like to thank the people of Motu- Koita and the Koairi – the traditional landowners of the land, which this city, nation’s capital, is built upon, so we can be here. Thank you!
“This flag is special. We are not just raising it to start our month of celebration, but we must raise it all the time, to raise our spirit of our nation,
“When we raise it all the time, we are raising our own spirit to remain alive as a nation, with such a spirit it maintains our patriotism and that strengthen us as a nation.
“I am happy to launch our month of celebration and I declare it open and wish you all a happy celebration,” he said.
Commerce and Industry Secretary David Ganaii said: “Fellow colleagues, families and all who gather here. The unity in diversity we see in our display today has always been what we maintain as a country over the last 50 year.
“We are a population of many nations that are defined by ethnicity, who can live together in a country for 50 years. This very existence deserves our celebration today and through the week.
“Therefore, it is worthy to step aside from our usual work environments and its rhythm to meaningfully celebrate how we have come this far, worked together, developed together and raise our country together and continue to dream of a better and stronger future.
“This week is full of fun activities, excitements and will be a time where we meaningfully reflect on the past as we focus into the future together,” he concluded.