OCTOBER 27TH 2021
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape and Mrs Rachael Marape today paid their respects to the late Sir Pita Lus as the body of one of the “Founding Fathers” of Papua New Guinea laid in State in Parliament.
PM Marape and Mrs Marape, Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae, and a small group of State Ministers paid their respects to Sir Pita before the body leaves for Maprik in East Sepik tomorrow for burial.
Lus family members and journalists were present to witness the solemn occasion.
PM Marape was privileged to have spent Independence Day with the former Maprik MP and Pangu Pati stalwart, which coincided with his 85th birthday, with the people of East and West Sepik.
Sir Pita was his lively self on that day and shared some moments of reflection with the Prime Minister.
His only words, when asked to speak, was to say, “God Bless You All”.
Sir Pita died exactly two weeks after PNG’s 46th Independence Anniversary and his 85th birthday.
Sir Pita’s passing is another loss for East Sepik and PNG, following the passing of Great Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, in February.
Sir Pita and Sir Michael were founders of the Pangu Pati in 1967 which paved the way for Independence in 1975.
