Port Moresby, August 9, 2024 – Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has passed on his heartfelt condolences to the family and people of Bougainville on the sudden passing of Central Bougainville MP, Hon. Simon Dumarinu, on the morning of Friday, August 9, 2024.
“I am saddened to hear of the death of the Hon. Simon Dumarinu, who passed away in the early hours of this morning at Arawa Hospital. The late Father Simon, which is how he was known to so many, was a true servant of Bougainville,” the Prime Minister said.
“He devoted his life to the service of the people – as a seminarian, an ordained priest, a peace builder, and most recently as the Member for Central Bougainville in our national parliament.
“The thoughts and prayers of the people of Papua New Guinea are with our brothers and sisters on Bougainville on this sad occasion.”
Prime Minister Marape noted the tragic loss for Central Bougainville, which previously lost MP Sam Akoitai in December 2021, and now MP Dumarinu.
He recounted his recent visit to Arawa just last month, where he received the Five-Year District Development Plan for Central Bougainville District, from MP Dumarinu.
“The late Dumarinu wanted development on Central Bougainville, incorporating both the National Government Medium Term Development Plan IV and the Bougainville Integrated Strategic Development Plan 2023 – 2027,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“He has left behind a legacy, during his short time as MP, which I hope and pray will come to fruition despite his passing.”
Born on April 4, 1956, the late Father Simon spent his early years in Central Bougainville, attending primary school in Deomori. He undertook his secondary schooling at St Joseph’s High School in Rigu, before matriculating from the Passam National High School in 1980.
In 1981, Father Simon travelled to Fiji where he embarked upon his spiritual training, returning to study at the Holy Spirit College, Bomana in 1983. Ordained as a priest in 1990, Father Simon returned to Bougainville during the Crisis, where he provided comfort and support to those who suffered the long war. It was here that he played an instrumental role in supporting the Bougainville peace process that would lead first to the formal end to hostilities in 1997, and then the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement in 2001.
From 1999 to 2006, Father Simon worked as a missionary in the Solomon Islands. Upon his return to Bougainville, he served as the Marist Regional Superior.
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