Casket of Sir Pita arrives in Port Moresby

The National National
Sir Pita Lus’ eldest daughter Lucy (left) is comforted by East Sepik Governor Allan Bird at the Jackson International Airport on Saturday afternoon. – Nationalpic by MIRIAM ZARRIGA

THE casket bearing the remains of senior statesman and former Maprik MP Sir Pita Lus arrived into Port Moresby from Maprik on Saturday.
His casket was accompanied by his eldest daughter Lucy and her daughter Melissa.
They were met at the airport by acting Prime Minister Soroi Eoe, East Sepik Governor Allan Bird, Minister for Transport William Samb and the Maprik community including his grandchildren Solomon, Joey, Felix, Talbat and Agnes.
Also at the airport were the sons of the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, Arthur and Sana.
Sir Pita was 85. He passed away in Maprik on Friday morning.
He last appeared in public on Sept 16 in Maprik town where he delivered his final words to the people of East Sepik and PNG while celebrating his birthday and the country’s 46th Independence Day.
He requested that the country move away from the division which had so long plagued it.
“We didn’t get Independence for you to fight each other.
“We didn’t get Independence for you to hate each other. We got it because we wanted the best for this country.
“If you have turned away from our Christian values that this country is built on, turn back to God, who remains the Father of this Nation.”
He pleaded for the end to tribal fights.