On the eve of a significant national milestone, Prime Minister James Marape made an address calling on the citizens of Papua New Guinea to pause and reflect as the nation marks the fifth anniversary of the passing of the “father of the nation,” Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.
The anniversary, falling today, coincides with Papua New Guinea’s 50th year of independence- a moment Marape described as a “milestone moment, a moment in which the entire nation must pause to come to reflection.”
Invoking the legacy of global and local leadership, Marape challenged every citizen- from the highlands to the islands- to adopt a mindset of service.
“As forever ingrained in the pronouncements, John F. Kennedy is enumerated. Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you must do for your country.”
He emphasized that the responsibility of nation-building does not rest on the Prime Minister alone, stating, “The prime minister alone can do what I have to do, but I am only one man.”
PM Marape specifically called for a reset in the individual mindset of those serving the public.
“Reset it must start in our individual mindset. And we commit to work better. We commit to give a full day’s effort to the salary that we earn.”
He reminded the nation that while the generation of 1975 just looked into time and hoped for political independence, the current generation must now deliver economic independence.
Reflecting on his final moments with the late Grand Chief, PM Marape shared a personal account of visiting the Grand Chief’s residence just eleven days before his death in 2021.
“He told me that he was passing on. He spoke to me in the presence of his dear wife, Lady Veronica.”
“He was in a state of consciousness of his responsibility as the father of this country,” PM Marape recalled.
The Prime Minister highlighted the late Grand Chief’s character as a roadmap for modern leadership, particularly his ability to choose forgiveness over division, hatred, and stress and strife.
He also noted that even when his government was challenged in 2011, the late Sir Michael forgave those who took over his government illegally.
He added that the late Grand Chief example of service was lifelong.
“When you are appointed as Prime Minister, you are Prime Minister for life, in terms of your duty to the country.”
Acknowledging the country’s fragility, the Prime Minister cited the need to unbundle the economic potentials of the nation’s land and sea.
He pointed to forestry, fisheries, agriculture, and tourism as the keys to moving from a lower-middle-income-earning country to a higher-income-earning country.
He also announced upcoming programs to help landowners borrow against their assets to grow the economy.
Amidst these goals, PM Marape’s singular request to the public was a commitment to the rule of law.
“The least I ask of our people is respect the country’s laws wherever you are.”
“You can save your country by living lawfully wherever God has placed us in our country.”
As the nation enters its 50th year of independence, PM Marape announced that the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Administration (PILA) will be renamed the Somare Institute of Leadership and Administration (SILA) to honor the “Somare mindset.”
He concluded by reminding the nation that the Grand Chief “united our country in life and in passing,” and continues to call for unity from his resting place in Wewak.
“Together, we can make our country a better place.”
Furthermore, the Prime Minister is expected to visit East Sepik Province next Tuesday to personally pay his respects to the Somare family and the people of the region.
