Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has commended the people of Papua New Guinea for maintaining a strong, robust democracy over 49 years of nationhood.
The Prime Minister was speaking at PNG’s 49th Independence Anniversary dinner on the night of Sunday, 15 September 2024, at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, Konedobu.
The stadium is historical in that it was there that the Australian flag was lowered or the last time and the flag of the newly-created nation of Papua New Guinea raised on 16 September 1975.
Prime Minister Marape said, “Our governments have maintained a robust democracy despite the fact that we play politics and change governments.
“Whilst we face many challenges and obstacles, our greatest achievement thus far is that we have maintained a robust democracy.
“Tonight, you will have noticed our Opposition Leader, Hon Douglas Tomuriesa, sitting with us at the same table.
“This shows the unity and robustness of our political democracy even though we may play politics. We have changed government 17 times on the floor of Parliament but we have maintained our democracy thus far,’’ said PM Marape.
He said he was proud to be the country’s chief servant leading the country ashis tribe in the highlands was among the last to come into contact with the West some twenty years after the first contact.
He thanked PNG’s development partners over the 49 years, those who begun the journey in 1975 and others who came on board later.
Prime Minister Marape pointed out his government’s aspiration to have PNG become a high middle-income nation, migrating as an exporter of raw materials to downstream processing by 2030.
“Our developmental aim are deeply rooted in the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare’s Vision 2025 and as we celebrate 50 years of nationhood next year, we want to ensure PNG is united and growing further as an economy.
“Thank you each and every one of you – our citizens, friends, partners, investors, and businesses for having faith in our country,’’ added PM Marape.
He said the 50th independence anniversary celebrations next year 2025 will be bigger and better.