Prime Minister James Marape has announced the untimely passing of the Minister for Commerce and Industry and the member for Goilala, Honorable William Samb.

Commerce and Industry Minister, Member for Goilala, Hon. William Samb.

Source: www.parliament.gov.pg (for MP’s profile)

“He was on official duty travel when he met his fate.”

In a short statement released yesterday morning, Marape said he received confirmation on Thursday of the passing of the Minister.

The Minister passed away in a hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“He was reportedly unwell and in hospital when he passed away,” Marape sadly revealed.

William Samb was first elected to the 9th Parliament for the Goilala Open Seat in a by-election in 2015 as a Pangu Party Candidate following the death of then Member, Daniel Mona in August 2015.

He was Shadow Minister for Works in the 9th Parliament. Appointed Minister assisting the Prime Minister in the O’Neill-Abel Government in August 2017.

He was re-elected to the 10th Parliament in the 2017 National General Election. He resigned as the Minister assisting the Prime Minister and was appointed the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure from June of 2019 to January 2022 in the Marape-Basil Government. He also served as the Caretaker Minister for Commerce and Industry since October of 2021 and later confirmed to the Ministry after a minor Cabinet Reshuffle in January 2022.

The late Minister William Samb held a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the PNG University of Technology and a Master’s Degree in Project Management from the Queensland University of Technology.

Hi education began at his humble Goilala Electorate at Kambise Primary School to Tapini High School (Gr.9-10) and completing his Secondary Education at Sogeri National High School.

He was the Implementation Manager for National Roads Authority (NRA) before joining politics.