By Pearson Kolo
EASTERN Highlands Province marked the burial day of Sir Michael Somare as the day to work towards economic independence for the province and the people.
Eastern Highlands Governor Peter Numu said this yesterday (today) in Goroka while planting trees of economic importance in front of Yanepa Building, provincial headquarters.
Mr Numu said late Sir Michael got political independence for Papua New Guinea in 1975 and his passing and burial must be seen as the trigger for PNG to work towards economic independence.
“We the people of Eastern Highlands mark the day Sir Michael is buried as the day we want to start working towards achieving economic independence,” Governor Numu said.
“We are planting these coffee trees, cocoa trees including the mighty Yomba tree in front of our Provincial Headquarters to remind us of late Sir Michael and also signifies the launching of planting trees of economic value in the province.”
Mr Numu after saying this planted a coffee tree, a Yomba tree and a cocoa tree and told all Eastern Highlanders to start planting trees of economic value in their villages and districts.
the huge crowd that gathered in front of Yanepa House witnessed the launching and also took seedlings with them to plant in their areas.
Governor Numu added that the trees will remind them of sir Michael’s passing and burial in the years to come and also remind them to work towards gaining economic independence.