“The Board, Management, Staff and Members of National Superannuation Fund Limited, (Nasfund), join Papua New Guinea in offering our condolences to Lady Veronica, children – Bertha, Sana, Arthur, Michael Jnr and Dulciana, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren, on the passing of our Nation’s Founding Father, Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare.” Grand Chief Sir Michael’s role in uniting Papua New Guinea before, during and after Independence is one which will forever be etched in our country’s history. The ability to unite a nation of a thousand tribes under one flag was one that only the Grand Chief could do – and we as a nation will be forever indebted to him for his leadership and selfless service. As we mourn the loss of our Founding Father, may we also use this opportunity to reflect on the values and aspirations that the Grand Chief, Sir Michael Somare and our founding fathers hoped for – a vibrant united democracy of many tribes and cultures, with equal opportunities for development, progress and prosperity. On behalf of more than 600,000 Nasfund members, we thank and honour you for Papua New Guinea, the nation you proudly led in September 1975 and leave behind, for us to enjoy as free citizens today. You will be dearly missed and forever be in our hearts. Rest In Eternal Peace Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare.

Five fire trucks donated by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) were presented to the PNG Fire Service (PNGFS) to boost their local firefighting efforts. The five refurbished vehicles are equipped to carry 1800 litres of firefighting water and are provided with a comprehensive inventory of firefighting equipment, making these trucks valuable assets to the PNGFS. The donation of these fire trucks would not have been possible without the Australian Defence Force, who provided the naval capability of HMAS Choules to transport the trucks to Port Moresby on 19 February. The Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp presented the trucks to the Minister for Defence, the Hon Solan Mirisim. The delivery represents the continuation of PNG and Australia’s close work together, deepening our strong and long-standing partnership. Alongside the trucks, the PNGFS received more than 150 sets of ex-service firefighting protective clothing for use in structural and bushfire situations and 16 sets of breathing apparatus. This donation was supported by the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership through a funding grant of $55,000AUD (approx K153,000) provided to QFES to purchase the breathing apparatus and cylinders. This equipment is a critical part of firefighting operations, allowing firefighters to enter smoke-filled buildings to rescue people and fight fires at their origin. Through this donation, Australia hopes to give back in the spirit of friendship and generosity that exists between the two countries. During Australia’s bushfires last year, Operation Helpim Wantok saw PNG contribute a deployment of 100 PNGDF personnel, including the first women to be deployed by the PNG Defence Force - to help protect Australian families and support recovery efforts.  “It was at this time last year that Papua New Guinea was offering its own support during Australia’s bushfires under Operation Helpim Wantok. Australia is proud to reciprocate this support with these five fire trucks, reflecting the depth of our shared partnership,” said High Commissioner Jon Philp. “Australia understands all too well the threat of fire and the value of a strong and valued friend like PNG in times of need. Australia and Papua New Guinea are stronger together.”

“After 35 years in the air, it is time to give back on the ground”. Cricket PNG would like to welcome Captain Timothy Narara to the Board of Cricket PNG, bringing his vast experience from 35-year aviation career. After serving with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) and Air Niugini, Tico spent the next 22 years with Emirates Airlines, where he was the first Papua New Guinean to be licenced to fly the Airbus A380 – the largest passenger aircraft in the world. Retiring from flying at the age of 56, Tico’s is looking to give back to the community and believes cricket is one platform to start giving back Papua New Guinea saying: “My mission in life is do well in whatever I do. I have achieved that in my career, and now it is time to give back and share all that knowledge, exposure, and experience. The satisfaction of giving back motivates me to strive for that.” Over the last decade, Tico has always supported Papua New Guinea whenever they have played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). During the 2019 ICC t20 World Cup Qualifiers in the UAE, Tico acted as the Barramundis unofficial liaison officer, working the CEO, Greg Campbell. Cricket PNG CEO Greg Campbell said, “It was a pleasure to work with Tico during the qualifying tournament in the UAE. He has been behind the Barramundis during our UAE tours, and you could see he was extremely passionate about giving back to Papua New Guinea whichever way he could. We did get in his ear about joining the Board once he retired from flying, and its great that he leapt at the opportunity once he was available.”Tico brings multicultural experience having worked with over 150 nationalities after 22 years with Emirates. This exposure will be an asset to the Board as Cricket PNG strives to bring cricket to all of Papua New Guinea. Board Chair Helen Macindoe said; “We are excited to have Tico join the Board, and we see his international experiences as an asset. We are building to our first global ICC tournament and we will look to Tico to understand how we can leverage our participation in the tournament to expand the reach of cricket to the rest of Papua New Guinea. We love Tico’s mission, “after 35 years in the air, it’s time to give back on the ground” and we hope we are the platform to help Tico give back to Papua New Guinea.” Tico joins the Board as a Director and takes over from Mr Johnson Kalo whose role with Kina Bank did not allow him to dedicate the time he would have wished to Cricket PNG. CPNG would like to thank Mr Kalo for his service and commitment to cricket in PNG.

NCD Governor Powes Parkop led grieving Active City participants and students in black on Sunday to respect and honour the passing of Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare on Friday.  Undeterred by rain and wind, they walked 8 kilometres in the weekly event, 'Walk and Yoga for Life' from Murray Barracks to the Sea Park Bazaar along the Paga Hill Ring road. The students from University of Papua New Guinea joined hundreds of participants.  The Walk and Yoga for Life program was dedicated not only to mourn Papua New Guinea's 'papa' but also to celebrate his life and legacy. Speaking at the end of the silent walk in grief, Governor Parkop said if one looks at Sir Michael’s life, it is an embodiment of the true spirit of Papua New Guinea.  He said the entire nation is mourning the passing of this great man.  He was born in New Guinea Irelands, said Governor Parkop, grew up in Momase, educated in Southern Region and all his friends who partnered him for independence are from the Highlands Region and all other corners of the country.  “The government has put together a program that will honour and celebrate the life of this exceptional man. In these two weeks, I want to make this call for our people to come together as one nation and one people. He deserves the recognition, accolades, salutations and the honour that we give.  We would not have been here as we are now facing the future without his vision, passion and commitment to our nation.  In 1968, he got elected into the National House of Assembly. His agenda was independence. At that time our people were tribe-oriented with thousand tribes and 860 plus languages.  We were fragmented. We did not see beyond our tribal boundaries. We would hate the tribe on the other side of the mountains, rivers, valleys and islands. But, this one man had faith in us that we can do it, while many others doubted. Here we are so many years later. We have defied the whole world. We are still one nation and one people. There are many challenges but we are still here because of him." Governor Parkop said many other nations in comparison have gone through turbulent pasts in civil wars, bloodsheds and military dictatorship.  “Many thought that we would fail in light of crisis in Africa and Asia. We got independence on a golden plate without bloodshed. It is a testimony to this man who believed in us.  Governor Parkop called on young Papua New Guineans to believe in their abilities and the country’s potential.  “To you, young people, I urge you to believe in yourself. Believe in our country. Believe in its potential.  Believe in your ability. The world did not believe that we would succeed as a nation. It is all because of this one man that we have come a long way. And, we have a long way to go. We can become a greater nation because this exceptional man has left a very strong foundation and a very strong legacy for all of us. We cannot ask any more from him now.  “He has spent all his life serving our entire country and her people and not his family and the people of Sepik and lake Miruk. He gave his life to Papua New Guinea,” he said.  He said Sir Michael passed on at the age of 84, adding he has served 17 years collectively as Prime Minister and spent over 45 years in politics, a record in itself.  Governor Parkop likened Sir Michael to Moses in the Bible, calling on everyone to step up and be the Joshua to take the country to promise land. “He did not fail us. It is up to us to deliver the promised land. Our country has great potential. That is why he believed in it. He was passionate about it. That is why he gave his full life to this nation. You all rise up to realise the dream of this exceptional man had,” he said. 

Papua New Guinea has recorded the 14th COVID-19 death on Monday. A 60-year-old male from the National Capital District is the latest reported COVID-19 death. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Port Moresby General Hospital from 24th February till his death on Monday. The death comes as 49 new cases were reported around the country on March 1, bringing the country’s COVID-19 cases to 1,365. The cases were reported in four provinces: 13 in the National Capital District; two in West Sepik; three in Morobe province; and 31 in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. In the NCD, nine males and six females, ages ranging from 28 to 62 years were tested positive. Ten of the 15 cases showed symptoms whilst five were asymptomatic at the time of testing. Four cases came into contact with previous positive cases. Of the 31 new cases reported in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, 18 are males and 13 are females. The youngest of them was an eight-year-old whilst the oldest was 59. Twenty-two cases showed symptoms of COVID-19 whilst nine were asymptomatic at the time of testing. Nineteen of the cases had contact with previous positive cases. The Morobe province reported three new cases. All three cases are females between the ages of 30 and 38 years. Two of the three cases came into contact with previous positive cases. The country’s COVID-19 cases as a result stands at 1,365 with 14 known deaths. Seventeen provinces including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) have reported cases. The distribution of the cases are as follows: Provinces Confirmed Cases NCD 505 Western Province 323 West New Britain 196 West Sepik 141 East New Britain 38 Madang 35 AROB 34 New Ireland 23 Central 14 Eastern Highlands 13 Western Highlands 13 Morobe 12 East Sepik 9 SHP 3 Enga 3 Milne Bay 2 Hela 1 TOTAL 1,365 Globally, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 has reached 113,467,303 including 384,959 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. The death toll is 2,520,550 of which 8,320 were reported in the last 24 hours.

People in the remote village of Piambil under the foothills of Mt. Giluwe, in Imbonggu District of Southern Highlands Province covered from head to toe in white clay to express their deep sorrow and paying their last respect to our founding father of this beautiful nation, Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare. Jackson P Kola on national mourning day 1 of late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare – Source: Facebook showing PNG mourning

Why did Sir Michael choose his resting place? I honestly don't know and it's something his family will probably write about in the future. All I know is that sometime in 2004, while still PM, Sir Michael decided and picked that spot for him and Lady to rest. He commissioned architects and the building project commenced. Like the Pharaoh of ancient Egypt he built his tomb deliberately. Before he was hospitalized he asked to be driven around the city and he made remarks about "how beautiful Ela Beach was" and "how remarkable that there is a Hilton Hotel" where it was. And that there were significant changes to the Port Moresby landscape.Sir Michael lead the founding fathers. So where are they? Mathias Toliman rests in East New Britain, Sir Tei Abal is in Enga, Kondom Agaundo is in Chimbu. Sir John Guise rests in Lalaura, Central Province (thank you Bryan). Sir Paliau Moloat on Baluan Island in Manus (thank you Bap). It would be interesting to find out where they all are resting. Before I spoke to NEC I decided to check where the US founding fathers were buried. George Washington, 1st President, Virginia, John Adams 2nd President, Massachusetts, Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President, Virginia, Abraham Lincoln 16th President, Illinois. You will find in every location there is a shrine over the grave giving prominence to each founding father and President. Americans do annual pilgrimages from state to state to visit these places and learn about their history.I feel strongly that this is what Sir Michael wanted us to do. To go to the homes of the founding fathers and learn about their culture and history. I read up on Mathias Toliman and Kondom Agaundo because of Sir Michael.NCD has Parliament Haus, the Supreme Court, Apec Haus, Central Bank, etc, etc. What does East Sepik have in terms of Institutions? What does Milne Bay have? What does Hela or Chimbu or West Sepik have? Why do we choose to pack every significant landmark in NCD? Why would other PNGeans visit Wewak? There is nothing there except Sepiks and perhaps Vanilla and the War Memorial at Wom. Why should PNGans visit New Ireland? Or AROB? Is this what Sir Michael wanted? For future PNGeans to visit him in the place he loved and learn his history there? I ask PNGeans to have an open mind. Sir Michael was the architect of independence and guided this country for a very long time. Perhaps in his death, he is still trying to point out the way to us. It could be. Or it could be as simple as Sir Michael and Lady Veronica deciding that like they were in this life, so they should be in the next life. Like all of you, I loved him and I will always shed a tear when I think of the words he has spoken to me. He has given so much and I have nothing to give him except honor his final wish. He is not here to argue with us. And who am I to argue against Papa Somare? Let him rest in peace. Words courtesy of East Sepik Governor Allan Bird

Late Sir Michael Somare's Memorial Service at Pacific Adventist University in Port Moresby this morning. Image courtesy of Elison Zodii Ebu via Elizah Palme facebook wall Image courtesy of Elison Zodii Ebu via Elizah Palme facebook wall Source: Elison Zodii Ebu via Elizah Palme facebook wall

Wewak peace walk of sorrow for the late Grand Chief culminating in a public awareness on the History of the Grand Chief by Chris Hawaiembu Bais. Today Wewak town in East Sepik has come alive with people getting out in front of their homes and cleaning their communities.

Day 1 of this public holiday marks the first day of the national mourning period for late Grand Chief Rt Hon Sir Michael Somare. There is currently heavy police presence on the streets of Lae following looting attempts, rioting and stoning of vehicles by opportunists earlier today. Lae Metropolitan Superintendent Chris Kunyanban said from as early as 7 AM this morning, opportunists from 2 mile to 9 mile congregated and attempted to loot shops along the miles area. Police intervention led to a confrontation with the crowd that had gathered, resulting in police being stoned and shot at with homemade guns. "We managed to push them back all the way to 4 mile but we still have a situation up there where they're stoning vehicles in places where we are not around in the miles area." Lae police boss Kunyanban added that similar incidents also unfolded at Bumbu, Chinatown Shopping Centre and Bumayong where opportunists tried to loot the shops there but were deterred by the quick intervention of police. "It's a total close town now. No buses, no shops are open so we are just monitoring the streets." Kunyanban further called on Lae residents to be more responsible and cooperate and work together with police to protect the city.

Day 1 of the national mourning period and Port Moresby city cab drivers turned up in numbers to convoy in motorcade down Sir Hubert Murray bearing on their windscreen “Late Grand Chief Somare” in red clay. The majority of shops were also closed today out of respect for Grand Chief Rt Hon Sir Michael Somare. Video courtesy of Eva Kuson in Port Moresby

The PNG Fashion & Design Week and Sesago Health Care Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding for duration of one year to strengthen their partnership. PNGFDW Founder and Director, Mrs Janet Sios that they are excited to sign the MOU to cement their relationship as a guide for both parties working within the provision of this agreement so they can collectively expand their products and services. “We are excited that Sesago has come on board to look at areas we can partner in and increase the opportunities for many of our designers. Mrs Sios further added that it is a small but significant partnership moving forward and we never approached any private organization in this manner we have with the Sesago group. “When we heard of their products that promote wellness, health, beauty products and personal care products, we saw that there was an area where we could partner and pursue some of the opportunities to empower many of our designers.” Sesago Health Care Marketing Manager, Mr Pradeep Panda said that their purpose for this Corporate Partnership between PNGFDW and Sesago was to express our intent or desire, to collaborate and promote each other’s business activities, development and growth in our products and services that we both can do in PNG. “One of Sesago’s key priority areas is to support the maternal and child health and women empowerment, and this is the part where we see the opportunity.” Mr Panda also said that the signing of the MOU is to focus on three key areas; To support local designers, Create Self-help Group for women and on Women’s Hygiene. He thanked PNGFDW for doing a wonderful job in building human capacity and said that this is just a beginning and they are looking forward to a long-term partnership.