PARLIAMENT IN ITS RESUMPTION PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE SIR JULIUS
By Lethisa KOLOKOL
The Parliament in its rising on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning officially opened this year’s parliament sitting, paying tribute to the late Right Honourable Grand Chief Sir Julius Chan.
In the absence of speaker of the Parliament, Job Pomat and deputy speaker, Koni Iguan, the member for Middle Ramu, Kansol Kamdaru presided the assembly as the acting speaker.
The speaker acknowledged the presence of the Acting Governor of New Ireland and the members of the New Assembly Provincial; assembly along with the family of the late grand chief Sir Julius Chan.
On Tuesday afternoon at the Parliament first setting for this year, the Prime Minister James Marape opened the floor with a motion that the parliament extend their condolences to the late Grand Chief Sir Julius Chan and paid tribute to the great New Ireland leader.
Sir Julius Chan, former Prime Minster and the regional member for New Ireland passed away on the 30th of January, 2025.
Prime Minister James Marape on behalf of the people of Tari Pori, and on behalf of his family extends his condolences to lady Stella, Vanessa, Mark, Byron, Toea and all the grandchildren of late Sir J.
He said as the country prepares to celebrate its 50th year of independence, it is sad to receive news of the passing of a man that helped shaped this country.
Prime Minster Marape also said that since he took office as Prime Ministro in 2019, he has laid four (4) of the country’s Prime Ministers, late Sir Mekere Morauta, in 2020, late Sir Michael Somare in 2021, late Sir Rabbie Namaliu in 2023 and late Sir Julius Chan in 2025.
He said Sir Julius Chan was the man that shaped the economic landscape of the country especially with the introduction of Kina and Toea.
Meanwhile, the deputy opposition leader, Douglas Tomuriesa also joined the Prime Minster, in paying tribute to “great man,, great leader, great chief of the land”
Many other Members of Parliament also paid tribute to Sir J on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning.
