PM praises vice-regal

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has described the late Sir Michael Ogio as an “outstanding representative of the people” and thanked him for his service to the nation.
“As a member of our nation’s Parliament, as a former deputy prime minster and as the nation’s vice-regal representative, Sir Michael Ogio was an outstanding representative for the people of Papua New Guinea,” O’Neill said in a statement.
“He was humble, he was sincere and he was a man who took an interest in the development of our nation.
“We thank the late Sir Michael Ogio for his service to the independent state of Papua New Guinea, to the advancement of our people and to his role in strengthening the unity of our people.”
He said during Sir Michael long illness, we “as a nation and as a Government prayed for His Excellency to return to good health”.
“But this was not to be,” O’Neill said.
“We now pray for the family of the late Sir Michael Ogio, and thank them for the commitment that Sir Michael gave to our country.”
Sir Michael became the nation’s ninth governor-general in January 2011.