Independence Day fever building up in Port Moresby

Vendors have taken to the streets of Port Moresby in anticipation of the country’s 41st Independence.

Black, red and gold merchandise can be found at every turn of the corner, coupled with the flags of the 22 provinces in various sizes.

A good number of young boys are seen walking around, some standing at traffic lights along the Waigani drive, bus stops and main market areas, giving commuters the opportunity to get a flag for K2 or K5.

Spotted along the Waigani traffic lights outside Vision City was 17-year-old Joe (just Joe) from Six-Mile.

Joe says because the country’s Independence Day is around the corner, him and some of his friends bought their flags in bulk and split up to different locations in the city to sell them.

“Displa em blo mekim ol man meri rere lo indipendens dei blo kantri blo yumi,” (This is to prepare everyone for our country’s Independence Day) Joe says.

He adds that they are giving an opportunity to the general public to purchase whatever they can now rather than make last-minute dashes to shops and stand in long lines.

You can find Joe and several of his friends along the traffic lights all the way to the tunnel at Waigani Central.

Papua New Guinea became an independent state on September 16, 1975, after 70 years under Australian rule.

Author: 
Annette Kora