By GINNAH MINI
ORO Province will hold a low-key Independence celebration this year in recognition of people in remote and rural areas who are suffering the effects of El Niño, Governor Gary Juffa says.
Speaking to the media at the office of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Sector Reform, Mr Juffa said the province would hold a parade involving local leaders and communities, followed by a flag-raising ceremony, instead of a large-scale celebration.
Students will sing the national anthem, followed by updates from the provincial government on efforts to address the impacts of El Niño.
“It will not be a massive celebration; it will be low-key in respect of our people in remote and rural areas that are suffering because of El Niño,” Mr Juffa said.
He acknowledged that Papua New Guinea had much to celebrate, particularly as the country marks its Independence anniversary.
“Obviously it is an important occasion, but my message to my people is to be mindful and grateful for what we have, not just focus on what we don’t have,” Mr Juffa said.
“Our focus is on just reporting to our people and, at the same time, doing assessments.”
Mr Juffa said the El Niño conditions had created serious challenges for people in the province, particularly in accessing food, water and medication.
He commended the Marape-Rosso Government for allocating K10 million in El Niño relief funding to the provinces and K5 million to the districts.
“The provincial government is making an effort with our disaster management team to do assessments, and I wish to commend the Marape-Rosso Government for making available K10 million for all provinces and K5 million for all districts,” Mr Juffa said.
“Whilst the funds are yet to be received, we had a budget review so that whatever programs that are not essential, we suspend them and the funds from that we reallocate to attending to our El Niño concerns.”