Celebrations lined up for NCD

PEOPLE in the National Capital District will have many places to go on Independence Day tomorrow, thanks to NCD Governor Powes Parkop.
At a press conference yesterday, Mr Parkop said: “Port Moresby must have a place for a cultural life and this is my vision as the governor to provide avenues for parents and their children to spend quality time together.
“We must bring back culture and arts and give life to the city so that we not only go to work and back to our home but have places to go in the night,” he said.
Mr Parkop explained that there would be two venues for those who want to celebrate with the rest of the city either at Jack Pidik Park or at Sir John Guise Stadium today.
He also outlined the order of the Independence celebrations programme for the city starting today and continuing tomorrow.
Activities at the Jack Pidik Park will commence at 8am today with floats to assemble and later be taken around the city by Mr Parkop.
There will be entertainments from Life Band and the Tamariki Dancers and traditional singsing groups to entertain the public throughout the day.
Companies will also be there to promote their items and products and there is a whole range to choose from, starting with children and right up to the bubus.
The day will end with a karaoke performance by the Blue 7 team from 5pm to 8pm.
While at the Sir John Guise Stadium, CHM Supersound will host its second music festival with live performances by PNG’s top artiste including the likes of Robert Oika, Lerams of Kagua, Squatters Band of Morata, Willie Tropu and Owa Units just to name a few.
There will also be other traditional cultural activities to complement the day’s celebrations.
Tomorrow, the programme will start at 8am with all school children, the SDA band and marching groups to assemble at the Parliament House front gate.
The march to Sir John Guise Stadium will be led by the SDA Band followed by Mr Parkop, Opposition leader and Moresby Northwest MP Sir Mekere Morauta, Moresby Northeast MP Andrew Mald, Community Development Minister and Moresby South MP Dame Carol Kidu and other VIPs followed by school children and others.
The raising of the PNG flag will be at 10am, followed by singing of the national anthem and reciting of the pledge by school children and the general public.
There will be traditional cultural performances by selected schools followed by the lowering of the PNG flag conducted by the PNG Events Council in the evening.
“The total cost for this event alone to be hosted by NCDC is K400,000, and I urge everyone to join in the celebrations and be responsible citizens as PNG turns 34,” Mr Parkop said.