Staff of the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council have celebrated Papua New Guineas 50″ Independence Anniversary in unity and pride at the Melanesian Haus in Port Moresby on 11″ of September 2025.
Chief Secretary to Government, Mr. lvan Pomaleu, OBE while officiating at the event welcome the staff and their families who have gathered there to celebrate this event.
Focusing on the theme ‘Celebrating Papua New Guinea‘s Independence with Pride’ staff of the department and their families were happy to be part of these pre-independence celebrations which marked the country’s 50″ Independence Anniversary.
Mr. Pomaleu while delivering his opening remarks thanked the staff of the Department for organizing this event and urged them to celebrate in unity.
Staff of the Department were dressed up in their respective provincial traditional attires were basically from the four regions of Papua New Guinea originally from the New Guinea Islands, Momase, Southern and the Highlands region.
In each region, they had showcased their cultural identity through oral discourses and traditional attires and dance performances with artefact displays which symbolizes their pride with respect to their cultural heritage.
The NGI group were represented by the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB), Manus, New Ireland, East New Britain and West New Britain Provinces.
From the Momase Region, staff were dressed up in traditional attires were from the four provinces of Morobe, Madang and East Sepik and West Sepik Provinces.
Nevertheless, there were also performances from the Southern Region, especially the Motuan dancers who have put up a spectacular traditional dance to make welcome and procession with Chief Secretary Pomaleu to the podium.
The Highlands region who had performances in full highlands traditional attires at the event. The highlands dancers have represented their respective provinces starting from the Eastern Highlands, Chimbu, Western Highlands, Southern Highlands, Enga and Hela provinces who had displayed outstanding performances.
Among the highlights was the awarding and presentation of certificates to the oldest and longest serving staff of the Department. They were presented with a Certificate of Recognition for their timeless contribution and services rendered to the department and the public service.
Chief Secretary Pomaleu while presenting these awards thanked them for their services rendered to the department and for being a committed and long-time public servant.
Also winners from the Chief Secretary’s Office Essay Competition 2025 were announced and the awardees have received Certificate of Recognition from the first winner to the runner up winners who are recipients of this award.
Moreover, the Department also had launched its formal work attires and corporate wear uniforms which comprised of the black and grey suit for both male and female staff.
Another significant highlight was the planting of a tree outside the office premise next to the entrance of the Melanesian Haus by Chief Secretary, Pomaleu.
The tree is scientifically known as Castanospermum australe or (Moreton Bay Chestnut or Black Bean) is symbolic to mark this significant milestone of our country’s 50th Independence Anniversary.
In conclusion, a buffet was served with a memorable 50″” Independence cake cutting ceremony and food and drinks provided for staff and their families with photo session at the photo booth.