Press Release


For the first time after 37 years the Komo station in Hela Province came to life with traditional dance and songs as the community gathered to commemorate the country’s 44th independence anniversary on the September 16.

The operator of PNG LNG Project, ExxonMobil PNG is proud to be supporting this inaugural event which is a culmination of the Komo youth’s peace campaign early this year to promote peace through the sport of rugby league as the vehicle.

The two day event which started on Monday on Independence Day was organized by the Komo Independence celebrations committee headed by Komo/Hulia LLG president Charles Delago and other community leaders.

ExxonMobil PNG Upstream Asset Manager, Kim Hahn in congratulating the committee for their initiative said, “The work that they have done within their communities to bring about this event is admirable.”

“The youth’s initiative to ‘Drop the Gun & Pick up the Ball’ has brought about so many changes into your homes and communities in the past six months.

“This marks a significant achievement for your community, and what better time to celebrate this achievement than on the country’s Independence Day,” Hahn said.

Komo LLG Women’s Leader, Patricia Wako who was present at the celebrations said, “.This is a new pathway to bringing peace to Komo. People are now changing their mindset and moving to live peacefully.”

“I think in five years’ time, Komo will be a changed place. With people having positive mindset and wanting to move up in life,” Wako said.

The celebrations commenced with a parade around the arena by school students from St. Paul’s Primary School, Mananda Primary School, Kukupalu Primary School and Tiunte Primary School.