Festive brought station to life

THE Komo station in Hela came to life after 37 years as traditional dancing and singing gave the 44th Independence Day celebrations a festive atmosphere on Monday.
“This is a new pathway to bringing peace to the Komo people who are now changing their ways and moving to live peacefully,” Komo local level government women’s leader Patricia Wako said.
“I think in five years’ time, Komo will be a changed place with people having positive mindsets and wanting to move up in life.”
The two-day celebrations were organised by the Komo independence celebrations committee, headed by Komo-Hulia LLG president Charles Delago, and other community leaders.
ExxonMobil PNG upstream asset manager Kim Hahn told the committee: “The work that you have done within your communities to bring about this event is admirable.
“The youths’ initiative to ‘drop the gun and pick up the ball’ has brought about so many changes into your homes and communities in the past six months.
“This marks a significant achievement for your community, and what better time to celebrate this achievement than on the country’s Independence Day.”
The celebrations commenced with a parade around the arena by students from St Paul’s Primary School, Mananda Primary School, Kukupalu Primary School and Tiunte Primary School.
The students were accompanied by police and soldiers for a flag-raising ceremony.
Ten cultural groups, brass bands and string bands performed throughout the day with more than 1,000 people from as far as Lake Kopiago and Tari township attending.