Lie-In-State

The casket was laid in the grand hall for members of parliament and dignitaries to pay their respects.

Among them was Prime Minister James Marape and Leader of Opposition Belden Namah.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was a closed casket ceremony with no viewing of the body.

The casket was in parliament for an hour before it was taken back to the funeral home where it will spend the night before being flown to Kerema early tomorrow morning.

The Late MP, died on March 19 2021, at the age of 53, after contracting the Coronavirus.

When announcing his death on the 20^th, Pandemic Controller David Manning said Late Mr Mendani presented himself to the Pacific International Hospital on February 24 2021, after experiencing fever, cough, shortness of breath and headaches.

He was initially diagnosed with Pneumonia at another clinic and referred to PIH.

The Late MP was then tested for COVID-19 and his results came back positive.

He later succumbed to his illness and passed away.