Govt should subsidise repatriation of bodies

The National Letters

I WAS really mesmerised by Gordon G Gala, known by many as 3G, when he presented a multibillion kina idea at a funeral in Port Moresby on March 25.
He said that “time itself is an invaluable resource that people cannot afford to waste”.
He said: “When time is gone it is gone, thus we can never recoup it
“The time spent in prolonged haus krais to reach a reasonable amount to repatriate a deceased can only be saved if the Government can subsidise the repatriation cost.”
I agree with his suggestion that every family to contribute to the national purse through all manner of taxes which would enable the Government to give back to a grieving family by subsidising the repatriation cost.
People, especially in Port Moresby, spend weeks and months in haus krais to raise funds to repatriate bodies to their final resting place.
This is a communal problem that affects every family at one time or other.
Respect for the dead is rooted in our culture. I suggest that the Government do the following:

  • Pay the fare for the repatriation of the body;
  •  subsidise the fare for up to five immediate family members of the deceased; and,
  • Give K300-500 to transport the body by road from the nearest airport to the final resting place.

Komson Nick, Via email