City Sivarai

PRIME MINISTER JOINS CITY GOVERNOR AND RESIDENTS FOR SPECTACULAR NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS CELEBRATION

December 31, 2024

Port Moresby, January 1st, 2024 – City residents gathered to usher in the New Year at Ela Beach in an amazing celebration featuring spectacular fireworks, joined by the NCD Governor, Hon. Powes Parkop, City Manager Ravu Frank, and the Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape.

The event marked a momentous occasion as the Prime Minister lauded the Governor’s 20 years of transformational leadership.

In his address, the Prime Minister congratulated the Governor for his visionary leadership, dedication, and commitment to progress that has not only transformed the city into a beacon of growth but also inspired the entire nation.

“The city has grown running parallel with your tenure of leadership, so I would like to acknowledge the strong leadership of Governor Powes Parkop in our city,” the Prime Minister told the public.

He reminded everyone of their collective duty to secure a better future for Papua New Guinea, encouraging all public servants to work hard for the children, who are the future generation.

Mr. Frank opened the celebration by welcoming residents and inviting them to enjoy the festivities, emphasizing the importance of community unity during such occasions.

He said it has been a tradition of the National Capital District Commission to organize the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks, adding that the 2024 celebration was especially significant as it welcomed 2025, the year marking PNG’s 50th independence anniversary.

He thanked and congratulated Governor Parkop and the Prime Minister for managing NCD and the nation, respectively, despite many challenges.

In his speech, Governor Parkop reflected on the achievements of the past year and set a hopeful tone for 2025, a year of special significance as Papua New Guinea celebrates its 50th anniversary of independence.

“This year is not just a celebration of a New Year but a tribute to our nation’s progress and the resilience of our people,” he said.

The Governor also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister for honoring the city with his presence.

He congratulated him on the political challenges he had faced in the past year, acknowledging his resilience and steadfastness in maintaining the leadership of the country.

“That’s a testament to your leadership, your values, leadership qualities, and your virtues, and I want to thank you.”

He added that 2024 had been a challenging year, but “we are coming back on top, overcoming all the difficult challenges and committed to making our city a safe, peaceful, liveable city for all our people, our thousand tribes, and 860 languages.”

Concluding his speech, the Governor said it is time to look forward to the future as an amazing city, a city of people of a thousand tribes with 860 languages, and a city with so many cultures and traditions, making it unique.

“The important thing is we have come through tests of time and challenges of all shapes and characters. We are still progressing, we are still prevailing, and we can be confident that in 2025, it will be a momentous year for all of us.”

“Our city will be there, and we will be there, as a united city, one city, one people, belonging to one country, Papua New Guinea. Working with the national government, under the leadership of our Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape, all Ministers of State, and Governors across the country, we have to work together, forging the future together.”

Entertainment was provided by the Bula Talei band, Omokai Comedy, and local artist Isaiah Manoa.