Do not steal flags: Official

NATIONAL Capital District (NCD) city manager Ravu Frank has urged residents not to steal Papua New Guinea flags hoisted in public places for the purpose of celebrating the country’s 47th independence anniversary on Friday.
His appeal follows reports of missing flags from public areas which are presumed to be stolen from the locations.
He said the national flags and the other decorations were put up to instill pride and a feeling of nationalism in the city as the country is approaching Independence Day and stealing the flags was totally unacceptable.
Frank added that all flags raised for the 47th Independence Anniversary celebration in NCD would fly at half-mast in respect of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Frank issued the instructions at city hall in compliance with the directive from the Department of Foreign Affairs for all flags in the country to be lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect for the late Queen of England and the British Commonwealth of Nations.
“The flags were raised all over the city in preparation for the 47th Independence anniversary celebration however, in these circumstances, we are obliged to comply as a mark of respect and honour of our head of state,” Frank said.
He said Queen Elizabeth II had a strong connection to PNG and displayed gracious and humble leadership of the Commonwealth for more than 70 years of her rule.
She visited the country in 1974 prior to its independence.
Port Moresby hosted the Queen’s visit at the now re-developed Sir Hubert Murray Stadium. Meanwhile the Department of Foreign Affairs in a circular issued last Friday said all national and other flags would fly at half-mast until next Monday.