Sir Michael Somare farewell

This was said by the Commissioner of Police, Gari Baki, during Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare’s Royal PNG Constabulary ceremonial farewell parade yesterday.

The Grand Chief’s arrival at Bomana Police College was accompanied with a police motorcade and welcomed by the Commissioner on the parade ground.

Baki, in his welcome speech, gave a brief recap of the life and accomplishments of the Grand Chief in his family life and politics.

He said Sir Michael was one of the very few vocal voices calling out for a united Papua New Guinea.

Terence Moka told Loop PNG that comments on Facebook and from certain media organization that Governor Parkop came more than an hour late for the farewell  of East Sepik Governor and PNG’s first Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare is untrue.  

“I was there at the Stadium, and Governor Parkop came 15 minutes late,” Moka said.

He said plans were cancel the event because of the rain but because Sir Michael had already arrived at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, the event had to proceed and Governor Parkop had to rush to the stadium.

That was the Speaker’s farewell message to the retiring East Sepik Governor and Papua New Guinea’s first Prime Minister in Parliament today.         

“Even my own intense, will fall short of describing the man, Papua New Guineans, young and old came to know as the ‘Father of the Nation’ or papa bilong kantri,” Zurenuoc said.

“A man, whose impeccable accomplishments and reputation towers above all of us individually and collectively.