PM Marape announced in a media release a K5 million National Unity Pillar would be built along Waigani Drive, looking straight ahead to Parliament.

A huge National Unity Pillar will be constructed there under a Christian banner of ‘One People, One Nation, One Country.’

That will be a site of national significance.

The National Government has already approved that site. The Council of Churches and the Body of Christ, will take carriage of the project.

“A 200-metre tall National Unity Pillar, as an iconic symbol, will embody the many tribes of our Christian nation.

“Without Christianity, our nation will not be correctly anchored.”

FORGIVENESS KEY TO ADDRESS LAWLESSNESS

Meanwhile, PM Marape is not only urging Papua New Guineans to ask God for forgiveness of their wrongdoings.

But, also he extended his call on them to forgive each other for wrongdoings committed against each other.

He said this on his address to the nation on the eve of day’s celebrations.

The country annually celebrates National Repentance Day on August 26th

Papua New Guinea will be a far better country if everyone forgives each other, he said.

If we respect the rule of law, as Christians should in our country, the savings can be passed on to better health care and education for our people.

“We’re spending more money on maintaining law and order issues. We can address it if our people respond to the rule of law – as Christians should.

“Let’s take National Repentance Day as a day to reflect on goodwill and respect to our country, our God and our fellow citizens.”

NATIONAL REPENTANCE DAY CELEBRATIONS IN LAE

The Prime Minister will not be able to attend the main National Repentance Day celebrations in Lae.

However, he has asked Public Service Minister Hon. Joe Sungi to attend it on his behalf.

“We firstly ask God for forgiveness of our wrongdoings. Secondly, let’s ask ourselves to forgive each for the wrongdoings we’ve committed in our country,” PM Marape said.

“This is a National Day on which the nation comes to a standstill and asks for forgiveness from God. At the same time, to repent and forgive each another.

The day is very important for the country as far as morality is concerned, he said.

“While I may not be physically present in Lae, my thoughts and focus as Prime Minister of the country, are on the day’s events.

“I’d like to rally the conscience of our country to the importance of the date, on which we all come together, to seek forgiveness and repentance.

“This is a day which is sanctioned by the Government and is part of the calendar of annual national events.

“The occasion cannot be downplayed as just another date on which we rest.

“It must be a day on which the nation comes together in repentance and acknowledges God and to put God first in all we do because PNG is a Christian country.