PM Marape says late Roy Biyama died serving his peope

OCTOBER 14TH 2021

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says Middle Fly MP, the late Hon. Roy Biyama, served his people to the fullest until he died.

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He said this today when paying tribute in Parliament to Biyama, 54, a four-time Middle Fly MP since 2002 and member of PM Marape’s ruling Pangu Pati, who passed away last month.

PM Marape passed his condolences to the family of Biyama and the people of Middle Fly, who without fail, had kept Biyama as their MP for the last 19 years.

He said Biyama was admitted to hospital after an eight-hour walk in Middle Fly which left blisters on his feet.

PM Marape said Biyama had an underlying diabetic condition, aggravated by the blisters, and was airlifted to Daru and then Port Moresby.

“After about five or six months of medical care, including an amputation of his toes, he came back to Parliament using crutches to walk, for his people and for his country,” he said.

“What a testament to the brother who is now at rest.

“He had his people right in his heart…as he labored in total service to his people.”

PM Marape said he did what he could to help Biyama recover fully, however, “God giveth and God taketh”.

He said he had pleaded with Biyama to take rest, even take an early retirement from politics, but he persevered despite his condition.

“In fact, one time I told him he was in his fourth term, and could retire very well on pension,” PM Marape said.

The Prime Minister said he had served with Biyama in the Somare Cabinet and later in the O’Neill Cabinet.

He said in the 2012 elections, Biyama had more than K10 million in the Middle Fly District account, and in the 2012 elections more than K17 million, because he did not trust public servants to handle funds belonging to the people.

“He was a man who spoke less, but his actions spoke big of what he wanted for his people and the country,” PM Marape said.

He said Biyama had started from humble beginnings selling ice blocks in Balimo, went into a trade store, and eventually on to become a wholesale operator.

“His is a story of a man who rose from absolute obscurity and nothing, to becoming a successful man before politics,” PM Marape said.

“His life in politics is well known, as we have alluded to.

“He died in the spirt of putting others first.”

PM Marape said Biyama even refused a ministry, during the Loloata Camp, and suggested that South Fly MP Hon. Seki Agisa be given it.

That, the Prime Minister said, was a reflection of the kind of man the late Roy Biyama was.

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