Mek: Change must be adamant for PNG after 50 years independence

Staff of the Mt Hagen National and District Court posing for a photo shoot after their pre independence celebration at the court premises in Mt Hagen. (NBC News)

Papua New Guinea will be turning 50 years of independence in a few days time and change should be adamant and seen in all parts of the country so that people will have a reason to celebrate this milestone event for the country.

Robert Mek the Assisstant Registrar of Jiwaka Court House made this statement this week when the Mt Hagen National and District Court staff celebrated their pre independence celebration at the Mt Hagen Court house premises.

Mr. Mek said the country and it's people must have a reason to celebrate this milestone anniversary for the country and also urged the people to not only rely for the government to do it for them but the people must do something first then the government will play its part.

"Once an American president by the name of Abraham Lincoln said, " do what you can do for your country and not to wait for the country to do for you,".

"The courts, the media, police and anyone both in public and private space, if you have done something for the country you should have a good reason to celebrate and be happy of your contributions towards the country's progress," Mek stressed.

Mt Hagen District Court Senior Provincial Magistrate Betty Jacobs took through the staff of the court house the history of the country and elaborate that though PNG has a diverse culture, the constitution is the only thing that is uniting the whole of PNG as one country one people.

The Mt Hagen National And District Court Staff put up their pre independence celebration on Wednesday 10th September, 2025 coinciding with the opening of the new Waigani Court Complex in Port Moresby.

The pre independence celebration of the Mt Hagen Court Staff was also graced by the Deputy Chief Magistrate Administration of PNG Josephine Kilage who thanked the Mt Hagen Court staff for putting a tribute not only for PNG's 50th anniversary of independence but also for the Magisterial services of PNG who also turned 50 years this year.

The pre independence celebration ended with poem read by the registry desk followed by National quizes by Kimberly Berum Magistrate of the Mt Hagen District Court.