The body of the late Steven Kamma Pirika arrived in Buka yesterday at the Buka airport en route to Aropa then finally to his home in Siwai.
The former member for South Bougainville and Minister for Bougainville affairs died while receiving medical treatment in the Philippines. After a State funeral in Port Moresby on Tuesday the casket was flown to Buka yesterday.
Accompanied by the Speaker Theo Zurenoc and other departmental heads and dignitaries, the body was received by members of the ABG administration officials.
From the Buka airport the body was taken to the Bougainville House of Representatives in Kubu Buka where it lay for three hours being viewed by public servants.
The casket was also With two CIS bagpipers and a PNGDF pall bearing party led by another true son of South Bougainville LT.COL Tony Oawa.
Speaker of the ABG parliament, Simon Pentanu on behalf of the house conveyed his sincere condolences to the family, friends and officers of the late Minister. Describing the late Steven Pirika as a committed leader in Bougainville affairs with the National Government.
From the Parliament in Kubu the casket was taken back to Buka airport and the chattered Air Niugini aircraft flew to Aropa airport, where the body was received by Member for Central Bougainville and Minister for Communications Jimmy Miringtoro.
Two chattered helicopters then flew the casket and family members and the pall bearers, down to the late minister’s village in Siwai, South Bougainville.