GOVERNMENT has allocated $2.5 million for this year’s 45th Independence Anniversary celebrations, which will be commemorated on 7 July 2023 this Friday.
Chair of the Independence Coordination Committee and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Jeffrey Deve, said they are planning a two-day event – starting with a thanks-giving service on Thursday 8am at St Barnabas Cathedral in Honiara.
Deve said the thanks-giving service is opened for the public and Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is expected to share his reflections during the event.
He added the official program will take place on Friday at Lawson Tama stadium, starting with a float parade that will run from both sides of the city, conversing at Lawson.
The theme for this year’s Independence Anniversary celebrations is “Rising Above and Overcoming Our Challenges as One People”.
The highlight of Friday’s official event will be a youth performance that will feature various cultural groups and youths in Honiara.
Director of Culture in the Ministry of Cultura and Tourism, Denis Marita, says the youth performance will reflect the “diversity of the country”.
“So it’s going to be an inclusive celebration that will feature all ethnic groups within our country,” Marita stated.
Vice chair of the coordination committee William Misibini said apart from celebrations in Honiara, each of the nine province is expected to organise their own event.
Misibini said his committee is distributing $200,000 to each of the province to allow them celebrate our 45th independence anniversary.
He explained the funds are part of the $2.5 million government allocation for the independence anniversary celebrations, and will be channelled through the provincial governments.
In Honiara, Misibini said those attending the official event at Lawson Tama on Friday will be given free drinks and sandwiches.
The last time the country marked its independence anniversary was in 2019 before COVID-19 hits.