By JAMES APA GUMUNO
KUNDIAWA township in the Simbu province was the scene of somber mourning as thousands packed the local airstrip to receive the casket of the late top public servant, diplomat and statesman Sir Joseph Nombri.
The casket of the former ambassador to Japan was flown to his home province yesterday morning on a chartered Dash 8 aircraft from Port Moresby.
Simbu Governor Fr John Garia and Kundiawa/Gembogl MP Joe Mek Teine received the casket and escorted it to the Kondom Agaundo Building where the general public came and paid their last respects.
Mr Teine told the huge crowd that the date of Sir Joseph death must be seen as a beginning of a new era for the electorate, province and country.
He urged the people to forget about their bad habits like tribal fights and change their mindset to live a good life.
He said Sir Joseph was a man of the people and he fought hard to bring them development and benefits including the modern Kundiawa hospital.
Fr Garia said that the hospital would be named after Sir Joseph.
Sir Joseph will be laid to rest at his Wagl village near Kundiawa tomorrow.