Burial

The late flag designer was buried this afternoon at the Nine-Mile cemetery, outside Port Moresby, in a small ceremony. The event was attended by family members, relatives and members of the Urban Youth Employment Project.

The UYEP took charge of her burial, including the tomb design, while her funeral was held two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, the late Huhume’s family, from Gulf Province, are disappointed with the way the State has treated the pride of Meii village.

They are now calling on the government to start a new competition and get a new flag.

Army chaplain Major Karibo conducted a full military burial with Engineering Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Ricky Tawapery handed over the folded PNG flag to widow Lady Josephine Manasupe.

This was followed by a 36 gun salute before the dignitaries including the Governor General Bob Dadae and Prime Minister Peter O'Neill giving their final respect,  followed by Morobe Governor Kasiga Kelly Naru and other distinguished guests including local businessmen.

The cemetery was plainly simple straight forward according to the late top public servant's wish.

A senior ex-combatant, who wishes to remain anonymous, expressed his disgust regarding the absence of a firing party, and that the late Sir Michael Ogio was not accorded a gun salute at his burial.

“Those present were expecting a military burial but were disappointed when their leader was laid down silently.”

He explained that at any funeral of a head of state, the military takes charge of things from the day of death to the burial. However, it was reported that the PNGDF contingent to the burial in Bougainville was downsized and the firing party removed.

The body was handed over to the immediate families on Monday by the provincial government.

Enga governor Peter Ipatas while paying his last respect to the late governor was given the honor to hand over the body.

However, late Agiru’s media advisor Frank Kolma told Loop PNG from Tari that relatives from both parents of the late governor are still in discussion as to where the body should be buried.

Kolma said they will  most likely bury him at Tapanda (mother’s village) in Dauli sometimes this week.

Chairman of the Organising Committee and Koroba MP Philip Undialu in a statement said late Governor Agiru’s funeral program was deferred to next week because the people wanted the government to look into some of their commitments.

“The reason being that the Hela people petitioned the National Government to look into some major issues our late Governor has being pursuing before he passed away,” says Undialu.

The issues are;