FROM NCD GOVERNOR

To all residents of Amazing Port Moresby and to all our  people of our beloved country, Papua New Guinea,

Today, as we mark our nation’s 51st Independence Anniversary, I offer my deepest congratulations and best wishes to all our people all around our country as we take time to make this moment and celebrate our journey as a nation and as a people. We have journeyed for 50 years and now we stand at a monumental threshold in our journey. We have the benefit of last 50 years as we begin the journey of the next 50 starting with this 51st year.

Reflecting on the milestone of our Golden Jubilee last year, 50 years of uninterrupted democracy and unity, we are reminded of the sheer miracle of Papua New Guinea. With a thousand tribes, distinct cultures, rich traditions, and over 860 languages, many doubted our survival as a single, sovereign nation. Skeptics questioned whether such incredible diversity could ever hold together.

We have proven them wrong. We did not merely survive; we remained united as one nation, under one flag, for half a century. That achievement alone stands as a profound testament to the strength, resilience, and wisdom of our people.

Having dedicated my life to serving this country, first as a lawyer defending human rights and justice, and for nearly two decades as your Governor—my faith in our collective potential remains unshaken. I see every day the grit, heart, and hope that define our city and our nation.

We cannot ignore the complex challenges facing Port Moresby today. From urban drift and infrastructure pressure to social order and unemployment, the demands on our capital are immense. Same and similar demands and challenges face our entire nation

But leadership requires us to confront these issues and challenges head-on. As the Chairman of the NCDC Board, my commitment is to make decisive, courageous choices today that secure a better tomorrow. Every decision we make must serve the greater good of our city and lay a firm foundation for our nation’s future.

OUR VISION FOR OUR AMAZING CAPITAL CITY OF PORT MORESBY IS CLEAR: TO BUILD A CITY THAT IS LIVEABLE, INCLUSIVE AND PROSPEROUS  To get there we must make our City CLEAN, SAFE, HEALTHY AND PLANNED. We will launch this vision soon holding ourselves to achieving this vision by 2040.

Achieving this vision is not the work of city hall alone; it demands a collaborative effort from every single residents, businesses, community leaders, and partners. Government can build roads, deliver high standards of education, health and other municipal services; establish law and order initiatives or safety and security; and organize urban spaces, but keeping our city safe, clean, and vibrant requires a shared sense of civic pride and duty from all of us.

On this significant occasion, I want to pay special homage to the indigenous people of this land—the Motu and Koitabu people. Port Moresby was built on their ancestral territory. They gave up their land to allow the birth of our national administration, enabling our capital city to grow, expand, and flourish into the modern metropolis it is today. Our progress has come on the shoulders of their sacrifice.

In recognition of their enduring identity and rightful place, I extend my deep gratitude to the Marape-Rosso Government for delivering the dedicated Motu Koitabu electorate. Securing their own representative in Parliament starting from the next National General Election is a historic act of justice and political empowerment that is long overdue.

My fellow Papua New Guineans, as the heart of our country, Port Moresby reflects the character of our whole nation. Let us use this 51st Independence celebration to renew our pledge to peace, progress, and mutual respect. Let us take care of one another, respect our public spaces, and honor the sacrifices of those who came before us.

I wish all city residents, visitors, and families across our country a joyful and peaceful 51st Independence Day celebration. Celebrate safely, celebrate with pride, and let us continue building a greater city and a stronger Papua New Guinea together.

May God bless Port Moresby, and may God bless Papua New Guinea.

HON. POWES PARKOP, LLB, LLM, MP
NCD Governor