Work in unity: PM – The National

PRIME Minister James Marape says the people of East Sepik need to work together in unity to ensure their province is developed, just like what past leaders and fathers had done or contributed to nation-building.
“East Sepik’s young generation must emulate the examples of pioneer leaders like former prime minister, the late Sir Michael Somare and Sir Pita Lus,” he said.
Addressing a huge crowd from East and West Sepik in Maprik on Independence Day, which coincided with the 85th birthday of former Maprik MP and Pangu Pati founder Sir Pita, Marape said: “Today, I stand here at the base of

**POMIO STYLE … A tumbuan dancer from East New Britain’s Pomio during the Independence celebrations.**

Pangu, I stand where Pangu gave Independence in 1975, and all systems of Government we enjoy today.
“I could be celebrating Independence in Tari, or, I could be celebrating Independence elsewhere.
“But I have come to the house and tribal land of the chiefs, who, under Pangu, put themselves behind and pushed for Independence in 1975.

**STUDENTS PARADE … Independence celebrations in Kavieng, New Ireland recently.**

“I am here to appeal to the inner heart of you, East Sepik people, that if the country is to move forward, you must be the first to embrace continual national unity, and now must work harder for the economic independence we are pushing.”
Marape said development could happen on a much-larger scale in East Sepik, and he offered his Government’s support to the Sepik region, including work on conversion of Bainyk Agriculture College land into what will be Somare University.

**DANCING QUEENS… Autonomous Region of Bougainville traditional group dancers during Independence celebrations in Kavieng, New Ireland, recently. – Pictures supplied**

“We will complete the Maprik Hospital to be renamed Sir Pita Lus memorial hospital, we will complete the Somare University, we will build the Hayfield airport and we will fix the main highways as well as other feeder roads,” he said.
“This is part of laying the backbone infrastructure to support conversion of the massive Sepik plains into an agricultural combustion hub. We want East Sepik to be a big agriculture and livestock zone in Papua New Guinea,” adding that the Somare and Lus generations “gave us political independence, we must work now to protect that, as well as work towards economic independence”.