Akoitai to be farewelled today, casket to depart for B’ville tomorrow

THE casket bearing the remains of Central Bougainville MP Sam Akoitai will lie-in-state in the Grand Hall of Parliament House today from 10am to noon for members of parliament as well as heads of missions, departments and statutory organisations to pay their final respects.
Akoitai died last month in Wakunai while in his electorate to inspect a bridge project. Acting Speaker and Markham MP Koni Iguan will receive the pall-bearers and usher them into the Grand Hall.
The hearse will depart at 11.30am for the Sioni Kami Memorial Church for the funeral service.
After the service, the casket will be taken for one last time to the family residence at Taurama.
Tomorrow the casket will depart for Bougainville on a chartered flight.
Iguan will officially hand over the casket to Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama at the House of Representatives in Buka.
Akoitai was born in Wakunai, Bougainville, on May 5, 1961, he was educated at Ruruvu and Iagama community schools then completed grade 10 at Hutjena High School. He was employed by Bougainville Copper Ltd from 1978 to 1986 then self-employed from 1986 to 1990.
He was a resistance leader from 1990 to 1997 during the Bougainville crisis.
Akoitai served as member for Central Bougainville in the sixth National Parliament 1997 to 2002 and seventh National Parliament from 2002 to 2007.
After the general election in 2017, he filed an election petition and on April 13, 2018, was declared duly elected following a recount ordered by the Court of Disputed Returns.
He was sworn into office on April 19, 2018, as the Member for Central Bougainville in the 10th National Parliament (2017-2022).