A promise kept until the end
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A promise kept until the
end
PORT MORESBY: Markham MP Koni Iguan, who was supposed to
read the political eulogy of the late Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil at his
state funeral on Tuesday (May 10, 2022) in Port Moresby did not show up due to
a promise they had made to each other.
Iguan said shortly after
the death of their friend, Goilala MP William Samb in March, he and Basil had
made a pact not to attend each other’s funeral or burial.
“We made a promise to
each other that if one dies before the other, the other would not attend the
other’s funeral or burial.
Read on for more details of the news update as published by The National:
A promise kept until
the end
May 20, 2022The NationalNational
Mourners surrounding
the casket bearing the body of the late Bulolo MP Sam Basil during the
provincial haus krai held at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium yesterday morning.
– Nationalpic by GLORIA BAUAI
By REBECCA KUKU and
BRADLEY MARIORI
A MEMBER of Parliament
who was tasked to read the political eulogy of the late Deputy Prime Minister
Sam Basil at his State funeral on Tuesday in Port Moresby did not show up due
to a promise they had made to each other.
Markham MP Koni Iguan
said that shortly after the death of their friend, Goilala MP William Samb,
earlier this year, he and Basil had made a pact not to attend each other’s
funeral or burial.
“We made a promise to each other that if one dies before the other, the other
would not attend the other’s funeral,” he said.
“I brought him here (Port Moresby) in the helicopter and I will bring him back
to our home – Morobe – but just like I did not attend his state funeral, I will
not attend the burial programme in Morobe too.”
PNG Defence Force
personnel carrying the casket of the late Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil
outside the Tutumang Haus (provincial assembly) in Lae on Wednesday. –
Nationalpic by GLORIA BAUAI
Iguan, whose
friendship with Basil spanned 20 years, said that though it pained him, he
would keep his promise.
Iguan, who also spoke during the final visit of Basil’s casket to the Morobe
provincial assembly (Tutumang) on Wednesday, said the late Bulolo MP had formed
the United Labour Party (ULP) to unite Morobe.
“He did awareness, endorsed candidates in Morobe purposely to unite us,” he
said.
Iguan urged all Morobe leaders to stand together and unite to make Basil’s
dream a reality.
People walking from
Top Town in Lae to Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium on Wednesday to pay their final
respects to late Bulolo MP and Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil. – Nationalpic
by BRADLEY MARIORI
People in Morobe
waited in Lae on Wednesday for the arrival of Basil’s casket from Port Moresby.
A motorcade led by police and Defence Force personnel escorted the body which
stopped over at Tanam, then at his family residence at 14-Mile before arriving
in Lae at around 2:45pm.
There was another stop over at Basil’s town residence at DCA front before a
final tour around the city and on to the Tutumang for provincial executive
council members to pay their last respects.
Late Basil’s body was then taken to the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium where the
provincial haus krai was held.
Lae-based Western
Highlanders showing their sorrow towards the late Deputy Prime Minister Sam
Basil at the provincial haus krai on Wednesday night. They contributed pigs,
food and cash to show their appreciation and to show their sorrow at the
passing of a great Morobe leader. – Nationalpic by BRADLEY MARIORI
At the haus krai, Yangoru-Saussia
MP Richard Maru presented K20,000 towards the funeral.
Maru said Basil was a wonderful and special friend, an outstanding leader and
the emotions throughout the country showed how much he touched the lives of the
people throughout the length and breadth of Papua New Guinea.
Lae chamber of commerce and industry president
John Byrne said residents and the business community were shocked and deeply
saddened to learn of the death of Basil a leader and “true mangi Morobe”.
Madang MP Bryan Kramer, who paid tribute to Basil said: “The fact that Sam
Basil represented Bulolo for three consecutive terms demonstrates the faith the
people of Bulolo and Wau had in him.”
The provincial funeral service was held yesterday at 10am.
The casket bearing Basil was flown by helicopter over to Bulolo before
overnighting at Mumeng.
Today, he will be flown to his home in Buang where he will be laid to rest.
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