Column 1 – The National

Sea of colour
A sea of colour everywhere you travel around Port Moresby and other urban centers, with PNG-colour dresses, caps and merchandise on sale in anticipation of the 46th Independence Day celebration. Go PNG!
Turning 46
When you 46, you are well into your “middle age”: You keep on turning off lights for economical rather than romantic reasons.
Modesty protected
Opposite the busy taxi/bus stand at Unagi Oval in Port Moresbgy is an “impromptu” structure built over the big drain flowing north-eastward. A small note pinned to a tree at the road-side says “Public Toilet”. The structure is tightly wrapped in black sheet – to protect the user’s modesty presumably.
Pay back
You may have come across taxi drivers who, after failing to strike up a conversation with you, suddenly turn up the volume of their radio as if in protest. Goodness!
Bad road
The road leading to Wild Life in Moresby North-East is badly in need of upgrading and tar-sealing. The hundreds of voters living there hope that MP Kaupa and Governor Parkop have them in their plans.
In advance
The major reason civil servants who want to contest the general election are required to resign well in advance of the issue of writs is to prevent them from misusing government facilities to promote their agenda and raise their profile. It makes sense.
Food for thought
Do not let anyone rent a space in your head – unless they are a good tenant.
Top quote
“No one will be appointed as yet (to replace Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil). Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. So I will keep this position just like I did during the Tribunal of Agriculture and Livestock Minister John Simon and Defence Minister Solan Mirism.” – Prime Minister James Marape.