Menyamya MP passes away

The country has lost a prominent leader today.

Member for Menyamya, Thomas Pelika, passed away at the Angau Memorial Hospital this morning in Lae, Morobe Province. 

This newsroom was told that the late Pelika had a stroke a week ago and was rushed to the Angau Memorial Hospital, where he was admitted.

His colleague MP for Bulolo and Minister for Planning, Sam Basil, accompanied him to the hospital.

At the hospital, the doctors tried to stabilize him and medivac him to Port Moresby for operations but his condition did not improve, where he sadly passed away this morning.

The late leader was serving his third term in Parliament as the MP for Menyamya in the 10th Parliament; Pelika was re-elected in 2017 as a Pangu Pati candidate. 

He was also appointed as Chairman of the Law & Order Parliamentary Committee and Member of the Parliamentary Committees on Constitutional Laws and Acts and Subordinate; Legislation; Emergency; Public Works and Standing Orders in the Marape-Steven Government in June this year.

The late MP entered Parliament in 1992 in the 5th National Parliament and was appointed Minister for Energy and Science July 1992- August 1994, shadow Minister Forests & Environment 1994, Member for Plans & Estimate Committee, Member for Lands Committee, Member for Privileges Committee.

He won the same seat in 1997 and was appointed Minister for Internal Affairs under the Skate Government.

Member for Lae and Minister for Lands, John Rosso, described the Late Pelika as always being very committed and encouraging in his leadership for the people.

Rosso stated that late Pelika was the Morobe Provincial Chairman for Lands and Physical Planning and has been supportive in his bid to eradicate land grabbing and illegal settlements in the city.

(The late Menyamya MP, Thomas Pelika)

Author: 
Freddy Mou