Businesses shocked by Hriehwazi’s passing

Reports by
BOSORINA ROBBY
BUSINESS executives, contacts and friends of Business Editor Yehiura Hriehwazi have expressed shock at his sudden death early Sunday.
PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry president John Leahy yesterday said: “Yehiura has been a leading member of the journalism profession in Papua New Guinea for many, many years and he will be sadly missed for his expertise, fearless pursuit of issues and stories and for his good natured and personable character.”
Chief executive of the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and industry David Conn: “To hear of Yehiura’s passing is a great shock. (He was) a good man, and a fine and fearless journalist.
“The young journos of today would pay him no better tribute than to aspire to his level of professionalism.
“We will miss him. Vale, Yehiura.”
Nautilus Minerals country manager, Mel Togolo said: “Yehi was a born journalist. He always tried to be fair and would always want to verify the efficacy of whatever stories he received.
“I hope young and   upcoming journalists learn from him. He was a good friend and I will certainly miss talking to him.”
CPL Group marketing manager Prue Go shared this: “Yehi has been a good friend to CPL Group. 
“I remember emailing him last November about an invitation to attend the launching of CPL Group’s kunai grass paper project.
“The National was the very first paper who published our pioneering efforts in making paper out of kunai grass and he himself wrote the story.”
Newman Cuthbert of Exxonmobil said the news of Hriehwazi passing was relayed to the team by colleague Rebecca Arnold yesterday.
 “Today we mourn the passing of one among us with whom we shared the stage and one who played his part to contribute to society within the bounds of the freedom of the media.
“Yehiura was a professional in his own right and was well versed in the honourable art of journalism. We will miss his companionship.
“My family joins me and we too mourn the passing of a colleague and friend.”
National Fisheries Authority managing director Sylvester Pokajam said: “I am in Fiji now … I plan to ring him on Jan 20  to talk to him about my plans for this year.
“But I was deeply upset and lost for words when I learnt of his passing. “From me, I remember him as a sharp shooter when it comes to reporting big issues.”
From the Ok Tedi Mining Ltd Media Unit: We are saddened at the sudden passing of Yehiura Hriehwazi, Business Editor of The National.
“Yehi was well respected by us for his knowledge and understanding of the mining sector and for his professional approach in writing stories on issues relating to the Industry and our organisation.
“His friendly but professional relationship with us will be sadly missed.”
Hriehwazi died   from a heart attack at 1.30am last Sunday at the Port Moresby General Hospital.
He was 49 and left behind wife Eka, and children Michelle, Freda, Yingwaie and Prudence.