The country’s oldest political party, Pangu Pati, turned 57 years old recently as the Prime Minister and Party Leader, James Marape reiterated the importance of party solidarity and stability for the continuation of the party’s nation-building agenda as begun by Pangu’s founding members. The Prime Minister told members of the party at a dinner event that Pangu was at the right moment to lead government to prepare Papua New Guinea for the next 50 years as Sir Michael Somare and his generation of leaders have done for these 50 years. According to a statement, PM Marape said this must continue, as he warned young ministers and political members of the party to be patient and not be hasty in their decision-making. “There is no group of Papua New Guineans in our country right now than us in Pangu Pati who can make a difference for our country." "Our dream for the country must be the same dream that the Somare generation dreamt for PNG.” “When they ushered in political independence, our economic independence still remained behind." "That is why we said in 2019 to make PNG the Richest Black Christian Country to bring economic independence for our people." "That is the vision we have.” “Our mindset must always be in the right place when we making decisions – is it good for the country or is it for self?" "If it’s not, we must find the right road for the country because ‘Pangu save lo rot’. Pangu has great wisdom.” Furthermore, Marape reminded the party of the long list of achievements by Pangu, making it a special and unique party. This included pushing for and gaining PNG’s sovereignty, and making up its composition – the Constitution, Democracy, Structure of Government, the Parliament, Court System, the Executive Government, the Provincial Governments, Constitutional Offices such as Ombudsmen Commission, the Police, and the Military. He paid tribute to Sir Michael Somare and his generation of Pangu leaders, mentioning them all the name. “We stand on shoulders of giants; great men (and women) who have laid out a path, and planted trees under whose shade we now enjoy." "Mighty men and women with no more than a high school education, yet filled with vision, courage, hope, resilience, wisdom and foresight.” “People who dared to dream, and dream big like Sir Michael Thomas Somare, Sir Paul Lapun, Sir Albert Maori Kiki, Cecil Abel, Oala Oala Rarua, Tony Voutas, Sir Pita Lus, Sir Ebia Olewale, Sir Barry Holloway." "These are the mighty men; the founding members of Pangu.” “Our party is rooted very deeply into the birth of Papua New Guinea." "It is the party that has given Papua New Guinea not only its sovereignty but also its structure and mechanisms,” he said. Additionally, Prime Minister Marape urged his party members to remain strong so they could continue “the dream” and set up PNG beyond the life after these first 50 years. Meanwhile other Pangu MPs who spoke on the evening, included the Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Party Leader John Rosso; Pangu stalwart, Sir Chris Haiveta; and various leaders representing each region of the country. Pangu was born on 13 June 1967 out of the need to contest the first lot of elections of 1968 to the National Assembly, so Independence could be ushered in later in 1975.