Big welcome set for Dadae

By Malum Nalu
THE swearing-in of new Governor-General Bob Dadae today will be one of three major events in Parliament this year, according to Acting Clerk Kala Aufa.
He told The National yesterday that the others would be the farewell of East Sepik Governor and founding prime minister Sir Michael Somare in the April session and the first session of the 10th Parliament in August after the general elections.
“That (Sir Michael’s farewell) will coincide with the last meeting (of the ninth Parliament).
“This will be a big programme, with PNG Defence Force and everybody lined up.”
Sir Michael, who turns 81 on April 9, will not be contesting the general election after 49 years in politics.
“I’ve been a member for a long, long time,” he said earlier.
Today’s swearing-in of the 10th governor-general is to be a colourful affair, with a welcome fit for royalty, said Acting Deputy Clerk of Parliament Basil Kambuliagen, who is organising the event with Aufa.
“This normally comes every six years,” Kambuliagen said.
“This is when we have everyone together.
“The swearing-in by the chief justice is done on the floor of Parliament.” The programme begins at noon with a guard-of-honour, with the combined band from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and the Correctional Service Pipes and Drums.
Invited guests, resident heads of foreign missions and international organisations start arriving at 1pm.
Parade host and PNG Defence Force Commander Brig-Gen Gilbert Toropo and his wife will be met by the chief of state protocol and received by the guard with a general salute.
His is to be followed by Acting Speaker John Simon, Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia, Opposition Leader Don Polye and his wife, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and wife Lynda Babao O’Neill and Governor-General designate Dadae and wife Hannah.
At 2pm, Simon will invite Bishop Denny Bray Guka, chairman of the PNG Council of Churches, to say prayers.
He will then invite Sir Salamo to be seated on the floor of Parliament to perform the constitutional duties of his office.
Sir Salamo will invite Dadae to take the oath-of-allegiance, declaration-of-loyalty and declaration-of-office before retiring.
The dignitaries then proceed to the State Function Room for afternoon tea.
Dadae, Speaker Theodore Zurenuoc, Sir Salamo and O’Neill, with their spouses, then move to the Parliament entrance.
The Vice-Regal Standard is broken and Dadae will then be invited by Toropo to inspect a guard-of-honour.
He then enters the State car to end the ceremony.