16 Sep 2011

PNG marks 36 years of independence

4:10 am on 16 September 2011

Papua New Guinea's police chief, Anthony Wagambie, says the country has become less unified since independence from Australia in 1975.

Today is PNG's 36th independence day and celebrations are being held across the country.

Commissioner Wagambie say PNG is slowly but surely advancing in all sectors but law and order remains a challenge.

He says since independence people have withdrawn into their ethnic clans and he believes this is the cause of many of the problems the country now experiences.

Commissioner Wagambie says independence is not only a time to celebrate, but also to reflect and evaluate.

He calls on Papua New Guineans to do the right thing for the country.