Aide Ganasi

Students stood along the town road with provincial flags, flowers and tears flowed as their leaders’ casket  was driven through the town to the Provincial Assembly hall.

Minister for Finance James Marape, Public Service Minister Sir Puka Temu and acting Speaker of Parliament and Maprik MP John Simon accompanied the body.

A funeral service was held in the assembly hall in remembrance of the late MP before a guard of honour by the PNGDF.

Wabag MP Robert Ganim informed Loop PNG of his death.

The Office of the Member for North Fly also confirmed his death.

The body is currently at the Pacific International Hospital, waiting for the Prime Minister to view his body before it leaves for the Funeral Home.

More update to come…

News of his passing was announced in the Parliament session today by Deputy Speaker, Aide Ganasi.

Tom Pius was first elected to the Third National Parliament in 1982 General Elections and served till 1987.

During his first term he was appointed Minister for Civil Aviation from 1983 to 1985.

He would be reelected to the Fourth National Parliament in 1987, but would temporarily lose the seat twice to Melchior Kasap, but would regain it in 1989.

Pious would then be appointed Minister for Agriculture & Livestock from 1991 and 1992.

“We are in the process of finalizing the 33.33% equity sharing splits through the proposed Community Consultative and Awareness Program which will take two months to complete.

He said after the awareness, they will have to formally deliberate and endorsed by the Provincial Council Assembly and the PEC before it is submitted to NEC for deliberations.

Ganasi said as leaders they would like to see that the benefits flow to the people so they are empowered to make decisions over their own resources.

“Speaker, I wish to ask you a question in relation to the Permanent Parliamentary Privileges Committee decision on the vote of no-confidence,” says Mangape.

“Are you asking me that question?” Ganasi asked

“Yes,” Mangape replied.

“I will not allow you to ask that question because…”

The members of parliament and people in the public gallery broke out in laughter.

“Ok, I will let you ask the question,” Ganasi told Mangape as another burst of laughter broke out from the members of parliament.