He did it his way

COVER STORY

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
THE last time I travelled outside the national capital for Independence celebrations was in 2015, to Nipa station in Southern Highlands.
Five years later and I’m on my way back to my mum’s province of New Ireland.
Yes I’m not a full-blooded New Irelander, I’m half, my mum is from New Hanover in the Kavieng District while my dad is from the cold waters of “Wara Waria’’ in the Huon Gulf district of Morobe.
I was born at the Taskul Health Centre in New Ireland but grew up in Port Moresby traveling to both provinces for holidays.
Back to my story; I was now seated right in front on a PNG Air flight that would take me back to Lae, on to Kokopo where I lived for a couple of months and finally home.
As we travelled I thought about the historic moment I was about to witness. Governor-General Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare and New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan would be together in Kavieng.
Three hours is a long time to travel but I settled back and fell asleep, only waking up when we stopped over at the airports and texting my seven-year-old my location because she wanted to know where I was at all times.
We finally arrived at the Kavieng Airport. I stretched my legs and walked out. looked around and decided I didn’t want to return to Port Moresby any time soon.
I was met by a maimai (chief) from Tabar who was welcoming East New Britain Governor Nakikus Konga. My colleague from NBC and I scurried away to avoid the welcome ceremony, partly because we were tired and hungry.
We grabbed our bags, met up with the provincial government public relations officer Meredith Kuusa (still the best in the media business) and were on our way to town.
We were to be accommodated at a newly established lodge called Grace Cottage where we rested for a while before we went to the Kavieng Catholic Diocese field where the cultural dancers and the dignitaries were.
I got to watch my people, the Neitalangus Group from Lavongai dance.
They had just completed their performance when the women from Namatanai presented their Kulipteina Nest Dance which depicts birds sitting in their nests and singing.
My colleague and I stepped to the side where we were taking photos and videos when I heard a strong voice ask me “excuse me, young lady.’’ I turned to see who had spoken to me. I had to take another breath to realise Sir Michael was addressing me.
“Why don’t you take your photos?”
I replied, “We were told to move so you along with Sir Rabbie Namaliu, Sir Julius and other dignitaries could watch.’’
He told me,’’ You don’t have to move; keep on taking your pictures.’’
I didn’t have to be asked twice to take pictures; when the Grand Chief speaks you listen.
The protocol officers gave me death stares but I had the okay from the “Papa of the nation’’.
As the evening closed we were taken on a tour of the legislative assembly which cost the provincial government K12 million to complete within a year.
Sir Julius was adamant that the contractor, China Railway Construction Group finish the assembly so that it could open on Sept 16 as part of the 45th Independence celebrations. And CRCG delivered, finishing the building in a year, three months prior to the scheduled opening.
Impressive building
It is an impressive building. As you walk in you are met with a sense of pride even if you are not from the province or like me, a reporter who is not easily impressed by anything that happens. I was in awe, I was so proud my mum’s people had achieved something I along with my children were privileged to have seen opened by the Governor-General accompanied by three former prime ministers Sir Rabbie, Sir Michael and Sir Julius.
The tour had me in tears, I’m not ashamed to admit.
The next day we were up early and arrived at the G-G’s flag raising ceremony which was the first time it was was not held in Port Moresby.
Sir Bob witnessed the flag ceremony and unveiled the plaque. His wife Lady Emmeline Tufi Dadae cut the ribbon and we witnessed the first sitting of the assembly with Sir Julius as chairman.
The opening of the assembly comes after the ground breaking ceremony was held on Sept 4 last year in the presence of representatives of the Chinese embassy, contractor CRCG, New Ireland government members, chiefs, provincial administration staff and the public.
The New Ireland Legislative Assembly will be the official house for laws to be debated and passed. It will represent all tiers of government; the ward, local level government, district, provincial and national levels.
The state-of-the-art two-storey building depicting a New Ireland style hausboi, accommodates a parliament style chamber with a sitting capacity of 100 peope, a media room, advisors’ box, the governor’s office, three offices for the Open Members of Parliament, a provincial executive council room, general conference room, staff kitchen, the assembly clerk’s office anda general board room. The top deck overlooks Ungan Street and the scenic Nusa Parade below.
“The New Ireland Legislative Assembly is modern building and will lift our standards to equal meetings held in developed countries. It will be a place to make good laws for good governance. It’s not a place to just talk. To date, New Ireland has kept to its scheduled quarterly timetabled assembly meetings at 10am on Wednesdays since late 2007,” Sir Julius said.
According to Sir Julius the assembly has held over 40 meetings and passed 28 acts, three sets of amendments, including the Vagrancy Act, Provincial Liquor Licensing Act, New Ireland Provincial Land Act, Betel Nut Act and the Littering Act.
“The new building will be respected and make all New Irelanders proud,” expressed Sir Julius.
Governor-General Sir Bob officially opened the first sitting of the house, while archbishop-elect to the Rabaul Catholic Archdiocese Rochus Tatamai officially consecrated the house in the presence of former prime minister and founding father Grand Chief Sir Michael and other dignitaries.
The grand opening was celebrated with full New Ireland flair and pomp complete with the inclusion of the three main cultures – the Malagan, Kabai and Tumbuans.
Learning virtues of leadership
In thanking the province and Sir Julius for the invitation, Sir Michael said that the visit was personal for him.
“Having spent my infancy and later my days at the Utu Secondary School as a school teacher, it was during those formative years I learned valuable virtues of leadership to lead PNG in later years.’’
In his official speech to open the new assembly the governor-general said that the assembly was where progressive and advanced policies have and will be created.
“This is a remarkable achievement, and a remarkable story. I must say the building itself is impressive. As I came into the building this morning, I looked above me to the skyline of the building, and it almost seemed to me that the building has wings, soaring to the sky.
“Indeed, this place of assembly is a structure that is meant to contain greatness. It is a place that is meant to serve as a workshop in which the servants of the people work and toil to make the lives of the people of New Ireland better. It is a building where the dreams of a better future can be made reality.
“This building represents a vision and a commitment to achieve better outcomes for the people of New Ireland, and subsequently for our great nation and people. It will be the new workshop to continue the development aspirations of New Ireland and to contribute to the development of the entire country,’’ he said.
“New Ireland has played a role in the introduction of the provincial government system, the creation and passing of the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Government and the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission.”
Sir Julius could not hide his smile during the two-day event. He told those in attendance that the day was made possible with the support of so many people but it was for the people the assembly was built.
“Coinciding with Independence Day, we in New Ireland are officially opening the New Ireland Legislative Assembly, dedicating it to the people of New Ireland… this magnificent building, the peoples’ house.
“You heard I called it the New Ireland Legislative Assembly, because I want to hand over a modern hausboi as a place to make good laws for good governance. Because this new building represents another step in autonomy for New Ireland, in the progressive path New Ireland has forged both before and after Independence.
“For the truth is New Ireland has taken the lead in Papua New Guinea long before Papua New Guinea became independent,’’ Sir Julius said.
“This building represents a peoples’ crusade for a strong country built on autonomous provinces; it is a crusade for a united country of strong, and autonomous provinces unified to benefit all Papua New Guineans. And hear me! This crusade for autonomy will strengthen Papua New Guinea,’’ Sir Julius added.
“Thanks to all the organising teams that put together the pride and beautified this event, the disciplinary forces and all the children of all schools and dances all over.
“Without you there can never be a successful day like this but with you nothing is impossible.”
As the sun set ending the two events, many New Irelanders went back to their villages by boat or vehicles knowing they had set a benchmark in a new legislative assembly.
On Thursday, Sept 17, the old friends walked together to the plane, Sir Julius telling Sir Michael he would leave him at the stairs of the plane.
As Sir Michael turned to go into the plane, he tipped his head smiling at his old friend who returned the gesture with a smile.
Sir Julius is certainly leaving a legacy that I know the people of New Ireland will pass down to their children, telling them of how they saw three former prime ministers, the flag raising and lowering, the governor-general giving his Independence speech outside Port Moresby and the cultural extravaganza.
As Frank Sinatra sang I did it my way, Sir Julius did it his way.