PRIME Minister James Marape has called on the people of Papua New Guinea to embrace unity and positivity as the nation prepares to celebrate its 50th Independence Anniversary this year.
Speaking ahead of his overseas engagement in Palau, the Prime Minister reminded
citizens to reflect on the country’s journey over the past five decades and to appreciate
the sacrifices made by PNG’s founding fathers in building the nation.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime milestone. We will never celebrate a 50th anniversary again. It
is a time to reflect on our history and achievements as a united, democratic country,”
said Prime Minister Marape.
He urged media outlets, leaders, and citizens to spread positive messages of unity as PNG
marks its Golden Jubilee.
“Our democracy, freedom, and unity are worth celebrating. Despite the challenges, we
must continue working together to uphold the values of our constitution and to promote
peaceful living within our communities,” he said.
The Prime Minister reflected on the hardships faced by the nation, including economic
struggles and law and order issues, but emphasised that resilience and unity are key to
overcoming these challenges.
“Our forefathers built this country on hope, determination, and conviction. They believed
that, from nothing, we could grow into a prosperous nation. It is now our generation’s
responsibility to carry the flag, defend our democracy, and secure our future for the next
50 years,” PM Marape said.
The Prime Minister highlighted the government’s efforts to support the people during tough times through education subsidies, tax relief measures, and cost-of-living assistance.
“Our government has done its best to support our people. The education subsidy programme continues to grow, and we have introduced policies to ease the cost of living, such as raising the income tax threshold to K20,000 and removing GST on essential household items, effective July 1st this year,” he said.
PM Marape also urged Papua New Guineans to respect the rule of law and avoid taking
matters into their own hands in times of conflict.
“As a Christian country, we must remember that revenge and violence are not the solutions to resolving disputes. Let the law take its course, and trust that justice will prevail. Our communities must strive for peaceful coexistence and uphold law and order,” he said.
The Prime Minister concluded his address with a heartfelt reminder to celebrate PNG’s 50th
anniversary with pride and gratitude for the nation’s achievements.
“Let’s approach this year with a mindset of unity, respect, and shared responsibility. We must come together to celebrate our democracy, our freedom, and our unity. This is our country, and it is up to us to continue the journey forward for future generations.”
The 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations will take place throughout 2025, with major
events planned across PNG’s provinces to mark this historic milestone.
