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Oro Governor Barney Hoivo passes away at 40
By STEPHANIE WAIDE
ORO Governor Barney Hoivo passed away last Friday at the PNG Medical
Specialist Centre (MSC) in Port Moresby. He
was 40.
The governor was said to have been sick for some time and was admitted
to the Pacific International Hospital three weeks ago and then
discharged.
He sought further specialist treatment from the MSC and was admitted
last Thursday. He developed complications from a strong cough he had
developed and died under treatment.
Family members confirmed that Mr Hoivo died peacefully at 3pm last
Friday afternoon. His second wife Camel was at his bedside.
According to Mr Hoivo’s brother Martin Naru, the cause of his death is
yet to be confirmed by the doctors.
However, he said Mr Hoivo had been a sick man long before he became a
politician.
Oro administrator Monty Derari described the governor as a good natured
person and quite young to be a governor.
“His death had come at a time when the elections were due and Popondetta
town had taken the news with mixed reactions,” the administrator said.
“But I believe that his death would not affect the people much or the
elections here in the Oro province. It was sad to note that we lost the
governor at a time like this.”
He said the Oro provincial government consult with the late governor’s
family in Port Moresby about the funeral arrangements.
Mr Hoivo is survived by wives Honoria and Camel and seven children.
Prior to becoming a politician, Mr Hoivo was an Anglican church youth
leader.
He broke away from the mainline church and founded the Renewal Church of
Papua New Guinea and as its pastor travelled the length and breadth of
Kaiva evangelising and preaching.
He drew a good number of followers and established his popularity.
He was voted into Parliament during the 2002 elections and became the
governor of Oro.
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has sent his condolences to the late
governor’s family for their’s, Oro’s and the nation’s loss.
 
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