Last handshake for employees

 THE PNG Institute of Public Administration farewelled its second batch of retirees who served for more than 30 years in the public service in Port Moresby last Friday.

They were Noah Seiyari, Apisai Kukuian, Thomas Ha’u and Kevin Diwewe who were attached with the Waigani campus in NCD and Catherine Palangat who was attached with the Vunadidir campus in East New Britain. 

The institute’s acting director Yala Yatu said the public servants had given so much to the institute, the government and the people of PNG and “it is only proper for the organisation to recognise their years of service by giving them an official farewell, to show its appreciation to them”. 

Deputy director Russell Purai thanked the group for their services, saying although they had retired, the institute would still engage them when in need of their expertise. 

“Despite the challenges the institute had gone through, they had remained dedicated and committed to their job, and we applaud them for that,” he said. 

Ha’u served the PNGIPA for 34 years, since the age of 19 years after graduating from Koki Vocational School in Port Moresby.  He was attached with the maintenance branch as a carpenter, plumber and electrician and was regarded as a “jack of all trades”. 

“I will miss clocking-in and out every day as I’ve done for the past 34 years but I feel that it is now time for me to rest, go fishing and enjoy life back at home (Kairuku) with my wife and family,” he said. 

The retirees were also presented with a cheque worth K5,000 and a gold watch each.