Sir Michael

The late Grand Chief’s casket is now at the Provincial Assembly, for the Speaker and members of the provincial assembly to pay their respects to him.

The late Grand Chief departed for Wewak on Sunday March 14, 2021. 

His body was officially handed over the East Sepik Provincial Government, to carry out their program leading to the late Sir Michael’s burial. 

Thousands showed up to receive their Sana and also welcome him back home for good. 

After being in the Provincial Assembly, his casket will depart for the Somare Stadium. 

A brief guard of honour was accorded to him before his coffin was loaded into the plane. 

Meanwhile, crowd gathering outside the airport have demanded that Sir Michael's coffin should be removed from the cargo.  

The Somare family and government dignitaries will accompany the body to East Sepik where he will be buried at Kreer Heights, Wewak.

Port Moresby residents have lined the streets to Jackson’s airport to bid farewell the Founding Father of Papua New Guinea, for the last time. 

The body of the late Grand Chief will depart at about midday today. 

His casket will be boarded on the Q400 aircraft for Air Niugini.

Members of Parliament, including the Prime Minister and the Governor for East Sepik are already in Wewak, to receive the casket. 

Different tribes from the Great Sepik Region are already in Wewak.

In a statement, Guterres said Sir Michael was Papua New  Guinea's first Prime Minister who led the country to independence and to joining the United Nations in October, 1975.

"Sir Michael will be remembered for his pivotal role in the independence and foundation of Papua New Guinea, as well as his lifetime of public service dedicated towards building a prosperous and democratic country," wrote Mr Guterres. 

"The United Nations is also grateful for his commitment to international cooperation and multilateralism.

His leadership skills is unmatched of any standard and was the people’s man and is evident right now that all the people are mourning his passing.

Registrar of Political Parties, Dr Alphonse Gelu made these remarks in an exclusive interview with this newsroom.

“There are two things I would like to share as a tribute to Sir Michael; the first is Sir Michael is part of a group of leaders who fought for their country’s independence. 

“He became prominent in an era when his land was a colony and fought for the transition from a colony into an independent state.”