United Labour Party Leader and member for Rigo Open, Lekwa Gure has confirmed the passing of Chris Nangoi, member for Sumkar in Madang and a ULP MP.

Mr. Gure confirmed through ULP General Secretary, John Avira that Mr. Nangoi passed away at 7pm at the Modilon Hospital in Madang after experiencing breathing difficulties.

Mr. Gure couldn’t confirm the exact cause of death.

MP Gure says he is saddened by the news of Mr. Nangoi’s passing.

“It is yet, another great loss to ULP, Sumkar, Madang and Papua New Guinea”.

Mr. Nangoi’s passing is exactly one month after the passing of ULP leader Sam Basil.

He said the ULP General Secretary will ensure protocol and a state procession is accorded to Mr Nangoi as he has passed on while serving as a member of Parliament.

Gure added Chris Nangoi is a young, energetic leader who has gone too soon.

Mr. Nangoi is a communications engineer by profession and graduated from the University of Technology in Lae.

Before entering politics, his previous job was with Digicel foundation, working on setting up communication towers across Papua New Guinea.

The Bougainville House of Representatives have unanimously endorsed ABG President Ishmael Toroama’s ministerial statement on the Era Kone Covenant.

 Members of the House expressed their support of President Toroama’s ministerial statement which refocuses Bougainville’s journey to achieve political independence through the recently signed Era Kone Covenant.

 In his statement President Toroama explained the processes that have led to the signing and endorsement of the Era Kone Covenant on Friday April 22, 2022.

 The overwhelming 97.7% affirmation on Political Independence for Bougainville by the people at the 2019 Bougainville Referendum clearly indicated Bougainville’s resolve on self-determination.

 Per the Bougainville Peace Agreement, the National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government were required to consult over the results of the Referendum.

 The third and final consultation in December last year resulted in the development of the Era Kone Covenant which creates a new pathway for Bougainville into the ratification of the Referendum results.

Formally known as the The Era Kone Covenant on finalization of the Bougainville Referendum on Independence the Era Kone Covenant;

·        Captures the outcomes of the three post referendum joint consultations,

·        Ensures the outcomes of the joint consultations are tabled in the 11th Parliament in 2023,

·        Commits both Governments to jointly formulate a report to brief the 11th Parliament on its role to give effect to Section 342 of the National Constitution, in this case a report on the three Bougainville Joint Post Referendum Consultations outcomes.

·        Provides for the respective executive councils of both Governments to make Constitutional Regulations.

·        The Constitutional Regulations cannot be amended or repealed by the National Government except with approval of the Bougainville Executive Council in accordance with the Bougainville Constitution and the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

·       By endorsing the Era Kone Covenant by the National Executive Council and the Bougainville Executive Council formally concludes post-referendum joint consultations between the two governments.

The Era Kone Covenant activates the next important stage in the Bougainville Peace Process and this is the drafting of the Constitutional Regulations.

The Constitutional Regulations will give clarity to the ratification process by the National Parliament while taking into account the referendum results and the Post Bougainville Referendum Consultation Report.

THE body of the Deputy Prime Minister, Sam Basil arrived at the Nadzap Airport today around 12pm.

On the Chopper with him was Lae MP John Rosso, Markham MP Koni Iguan and two of Basil’s sons.

A convoy of over 200 vehicles lead the hearse into Lae city.

The hearse made three stops, starting at Tanam, 14mile and DCA Beach in Lae before heading to the Tutumang House.

At the Tutumang House, his body was officially handed over to the Morobe Provincial Government by the Deputy Speaker and Member for Markham, Koni Iguan.

The Governor and the eight MPs of Morobe were given time to share their condolence messages at the Tutumang Haus.

The Morobe Governor passed on his condolence to the DPM’s family, the people of Bulolo and Morobe and appealed to the people of Bulolo and Morobe to be understanding during this shocking time.

“To the people of Bulolo, Sam Basil is gone, but Bulolo is still here, people of Morobe, Sam Basil is gone but Morobe is still here, we must carry on,” Saonu said.

The eight MPs had a common message in speeches, to carry on the Bulolo MP’s legacy of maintaining unity among Morobe leaders.

The Member for Yangoru-Saussia, Richard Maru was also present at today’s event and was given the opportunity to share his condolence message.

There was a minute’s silence after the messages and the body of the Bulolo MP proceeded to the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium.

The casket will now overnight at the stadium.

A state funeral will be held tomorrow (Thursday 19th) morning.

According to the program, the casket will be airlifted on a chopper to Bulolo, Wau, Watut, Garaina and to Mumeng where it will overnight on Thursday.

On Friday, it will leave Mumeng for Buang, where the late DPM is from.

His burial ceremony will take place on Saturday the 21st of May 2022.

The death of Papua New Guinea’s Deputy Prime Minster hours before the official start of the election period has left Morobeans stunned.

As early as 8am, people gathered outside his residence at DCA point in Lae. While the women wept, many of the men remained numb with disbelief.

“We are in a state of confusion. Our families are confused. We are questioning why this happened,” said Deputy Speaker and Markham MP, Koni Iguan who has been close to Basil’s side in the last formation of government.

“We are speaking to the family. We hope to get consent soon for a post mortem.”

Sam Basil’s entry into politics in 2007 marked the start of a vibrant and colorful political career. As a member of one of the smallest parliamentary oppositions led by Vanimo Green MP, Belden Namah, Basil was vocal about the distribution of electoral grants by the former PNC led Government under Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill.

At one stage, he personally picketed the finance department office to demand the payment of delayed district grants.

His real political prowess shone when he revived Pangu, Sir Michael Somare’s original party; a political vehicle that led PNG to Independence.

Through the revived Pangu, Basil secured eight out of the 10 seats in Morobe, the biggest win by Pangu party since 1982.

People are continuing to gather in Lae as they await a formal announcement by the Prime Minister and the Morobe provincial Government.

Prime Minister, James Marape upon receiving the shocking news of his deputy’s passing, says it is a great loss to the late Sam Basil’s family, the people of Bulolo and Morobe, and the United Labour Party.

In a statement the PM said Papua New Guinea is shocked and saddened at the tragic passing of Deputy Prime Minister, Transport Minister and Bulolo MP Hon. Sam Basil after a road accident along the Bulolo Highway on Wednesday night.

“We pray for God’s Hand on the country at this sad time.

“It is a big loss to his family, people of Bulolo, Morobe, United Labour Party and Papua New Guinea as we try to come to terms with his passing.

“He was a strong member of our present generation of leaders in Government who had our country in our heart

The PM said what makes his untimely passing even sadder is the fact that it happened only hours before nominations open for the 2022 General Election.

“This young and vibrant leader had been preparing his United Labour Party well for the elections only to have this tragic accident happen on the eve of nominations.

“The ruling Pangu Pati I now lead, is due to the hard work of Hon. Basil in 2014.

“He single-handedly resurrected the ruling Pangu Pati I now lead in 2014.

The one-man party became two in 2015 when the late Goilala MP, William Samb, joined Basil to revive the party.

Basil led Pangu into the 2017 General Election winning six seats in Morobe and others around the country.

Marape said both men brought Pangu back to life; something the present Pangu members are indebted to.

“We will give him a State Funeral befitting of his status as Deputy Prime Minister.

“We thank God for the life of Hon. Basil and his many contributions to Bulolo, Morobe and Papua New Guinea,” the PM said.

Governor General, Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae, has expressed profound sadness and shock over the passing of Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Bulolo, Sam Basil.

In a statement released this afternoon, the Governor General said he was shocked of the DPM’s passing.

“I was greatly shocked and saddened to receive news that our Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Wau/Bulolo, Sam Basil passed away last night,” the GG said.

He further stated that, it is such a tragedy to have befallen our nation the loss of one of our country’s outstanding and vibrant political leaders.

The Bulolo MP died after being involved in a road accident in his district last night. His body has been taken to the Funeral Home at Lae’s 14 Mile.

The governor general said Mr. Basil had a unique way of serving his people of Wau/Bulolo.

“He was a ‘hands-on’ leader involving directly with his people and providing the services required most of which go unreported because that is how he chose to serve his people. He was a hard working politician fully committed to the service of his people. The people of Morobe have lost a remarkable leader, a ‘Kwila’ of Morobe in Hon. Sam Basil the likes of which is impossible to replace. It is with a heavy heart that Lady Emeline and I extend to Mrs. Basil and children, immediate family and people of Wau/Bulolo our heartfelt sympathies and condolences as we all mourn the loss of this great leader. May god’s grace and peace be your guidance and comfort during this difficult time,” the Governor General said.

Papua New Guineans will head to the polls in June to vote in the National Elections.

The current situation of soaring inflation and the recent passing by parliament to create seven new districts are hot topics heading into the national general election.

Representatives of the Civil Society groups and the Trade Union Congress have always been critical of issues affecting the lives of the working class and the common man.

Last week at a media conference representatives of Civil Society groups and the Trade Union Congress announced a coalition dubbed the “Save the Future Coalition” they are banding together to collectively find solutions to present to the Government and the Opposition concerning hardships faced by society.

Activist Noel Anjo is part of the group that is set to be launched this Thursday at a public event.

“On the 31st of this month we will have the formation of the group Save the Future Coalition to provide solutions and alternatives to the Government in line with the Governments slogan of take back PNG, we will invite Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader” Anjo said.

The launching of the coalition will be at the Unagi Oval in Port Moresby and the public will get the chance to hear of the alternatives and solutions to be presented to Government by the group.

Acting General Secretary of the PNG Trade Union Congress Anton Sekum says the people of Papua New Guinea must head to the polls well informed about issues affecting the country.

Sekum highlighted that the increase in the nation’s debt was a cause for concern and the public needs to know the facts.

He said PNG’s debt overseas by the Government is estimated to be close to K60 billion.

“The national debt level is something we cannot continue to ignore; people must be made aware who is responsible for the debts and what decisions it took to pile on this debt.” Sekum said.

A cause of concern was also thrown into the mix with Sekum questioning why laws were being passed to increase the number of districts in the country during the eve of elections.

“The level of legislation amendments being passed on the floor of parliament is questionable; has due process been done?

“I am not sure how far and wide the consultations were but adding districts is adding on costs, in these difficult times.

“Due processes in passing legislation must be followed; how can it be done within just 24 hours or even 72 hours, to whose benefit are these legislations being smuggled through parliament, without necessary public consent,” Sekum added.