PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare yesterday assured the Nombri family at the Gordon haus krai that the Government would organise transport to take the late Sir Joseph Nombri’s body home to Simbu.
He said the Government, as a way of recognising the late Sir Joseph’s contribution to nation-building, would charter a plane and helicopter to transport the body home.
Sir Michael paid tribute to the late Sir Joseph, describing him as a very close friend, a brother and someone he knew since the early 1960s.
He fondly retold tales of how he met Sir Joseph initially at Sogeri High School and their association since then.
“We were like brothers. I even asked him to be the godfather of my eldest child, Betha when she was baptised at Hohola,” Sir Michael said.
The late Sir Joseph was the country’s longest serving ambassador and a senior Statesman.
Sir Michael said Sir Joseph served the country well in the various positions he held.
“Both Sir Joe and myself formed the Pangu Pati and were behind the movement to fight for Papua New Guinea’s independence,” he said.
Sir Michael said Sir Joseph stood side by side with him to sign instruments to pave the way for PNG to attain self-government and he was very sorry indeed to hear of his passing.