The key to Rabaul Town was given to the USNS Mercy Pacific Partnership 2015 Mission Commander Capt. Christopher Engdahl by town mayor Changol Manuai yesterday.
The presentation was witnessed by commanding officer Captain Melanie Merrick during a welcome ceremony held on board the floating hospital.
Manuai welcomed the USNS Mercy and her personnel to ENBP on behalf of the Member for Rabaul Dr Allan Marat, Governor Ereman Tobaining Jnr and the provincial government and wished them a pleasant and memorable stay in Rabaul.
He thanked them on behalf of the people of Rabaul for the gesture of kindness they were giving the people.
The mayor told the gathering that the United States of America played a very significant part in the history of Rabaul and he was proud that Rabaul was chosen by the Pacific Partnership 2015 as its port of call. Manuai encouraged the navy personnel to go out and enjoy the sights of Rabaul and enjoy the hospitality its people had to offer.
The CEO of the Rabaul District Development Authority Marakan Uvano, Provincial Health Advisor Nicholas Larme, Balanataman LLG President George Warwaula, Malaguna Two ward councillor and Rabaul Historical Society's Susie McGrade were among the invited dignitaries from Rabaul. Dr Marat couldn't make it as he is understood to have missed the ferry boat transporting guests of the Mercy.
PNG Loop understands that the governor couldn't attend as he is in Port Moresby.
Other senior members of the provincial administration, although invited, did not turn up and this has been seen by some Rabaulites as disrespectful and discourteous considering what PP15 was doing for the province as a whole.
"This mission is here for the benefit of the province, not Rabaul only, so the provincial administration should have been represented to show our appreciation. But anyway we'll 'dust' do it the Rabaul way", a famous Rabaul resident Mutz said at Ah Tam wharf, using a Rabaul slang to refer to the easy going manner in which things are done in Rabaul.
The Mercy departs Rabaul for Manila, Philippines, on Thursday afternoon.