Governor General Sir Bob Dadae

We have come to the end of yet another year and with it, as usual, the festive season a time in which we all look forward to spending time with our families and loved ones throughout our beautiful country.

This has been an eventful year. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a noticeable impact on us this year than it did the last. Many of us have lost loved ones to the dreaded virus and many livelihoods have been impacted. 

Sir Bob made this appeal in front of a capacity crowd during the Independence celebration in Madang.  

He said this is for the betterment of Madang and Papua New Guinea given the province stands to be one of the country's top economic hub.

The vice regal, who presented 340 Queen’s medals to Madang elites, including conferring one Knight and announcing Governor Peter Yama as another Knight, said it was vital for leaders to come together to develop the province.

They are:

1. Koni Iguan, Markham Open MP;

2. Johnson Wapunai, Ambunti-Dreikikir MP;

3. Joe Kuli, Anglimp-South Waghi MP; and

4. Sekie Agisa, South Fly MP

Prime Minister James Marape attended the swearing in ceremony this afternoon at the Government House.

The swearing in ceremony brings to total 12 Parliamentary Secretaries in the Marape/Steven Government, three of which will be assisting the Minister for Agriculture.

(From left: Sekie Agisa, Joe Kuli, Johnson Wapunai and Koni Iguan)

Finance Secretary Dr Ken Ngangan, and Secretaries for the Department of Treasury Dairi Vele, National Planning and Monitoring Koney Samuel and Department of Youth, Religion & Community Development, Anna Solomon, all signed their four year contracts on Wednesday.

Samuel, who was acting National Planning secretary, was appointed by cabinet after acting in the position for some time.

Chief Fire Officer, Bill Roo, who was also acting in the position for almost two years, also signed his four year contract yesterday.

The signing took place before Governor General Sir Bob Dadae and Acting Secretary for the Department of Personnel Management, Taies Sansan.

Five senior public servants had their employment contracts executed by Sir Bob Dadae today at the Government house.

Gulf and Morobe provincial administrators, Marc Orisuru Avai and Bart Ipambonj, will be the provincial heads for the next four years.

Governor General Sir Bob Dadae acknowledged sport as a unifying factor in the nation while at the same time, highlighting the passion and positive contribution that sport makes to the health of the nation.

The GG also acknowledged the role of the private sector in supporting sporting activities through funding and sponsorship necessary to make these events a reality.

The staging of sporting events in the world requires a good network of business people and individuals that can rely on each other for skills and experience.

This was the theme for the 36^th Remembrance Day and commemorative memorial service.

The memorial service was held at the Remembrance Park at Ela beach this morning.

With this being his first official duty in the Remembrance Day parade, Keynote speaker, Governor General, His Excellency, Sir Bob Dadae said this day marks a milestone in his capacity as Governor General.

"I am privileged and honored to commemorate today as a Papua New Guinean to remember those who have sacrificed for our freedom in the war."