Korua a hard act to follow

 By MALUM NALU

WESTERN Highlands’ millionaire and People’s National Congress Party president Simon Korua will be a hard act to follow, says Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

He said that in his eulogy delivered to hundreds of people who packed the St Joseph’s Catholic Church at East Boroko on Saturday for Korua’s funeral service.

“He (Korua) is among a list of successful Papua New Guineans who have left us way too young,” O’Neill said.

“In many ways, Simon is impossible to replace.

“He was among Papua New Guineans who were willing to contribute their time, resources and money to nation-building.”

O’Neill said Korua’s death was an enormous loss to his family, friends, business associates and the ruling PNC.

He said Korua had contributed much towards turning the PNC into the single largest party in government

Others who delivered eulogies concurred that Korua was always one step ahead of the rest when it came to making business decisions.

After the service, which was attended by a large number of PNC ministers and MPs, former ministers and MPs and national and expatriate business associates of Korua, a funeral wake was held at the Royal Papua Yacht Club.

The body of Korua, who died in Cairns, on July 8 after s short illness, will be flown to Mt Hagen tomorrow for burial.

A big crowd is expected to welcome him back to his hometown in traditional Western Highlands’ style mourning for a “big man”.