Leader calls for cemetery and national day to commemorate late statesmen

A COMMUNITY leader and company executive in East Sepik has called on the National Government to establish a cemetery for late Papua New Guinean statesmen.
Niu Sepik Cocoa Growers managing director Henry Takombe said the cemetery could be located either in Lae or Port Moresby.
“Better still, all provinces should have one.
“Such cemeteries would be like war cemeteries in Bomana, and others around the country, where special recognitions are given by the Government and the people of PNG to senior statesmen,” he said.
Mr Takombe raised the concern after the funeral of Bernard Narokobi in his Wautogik village last week.
He said such a senior statesman should have been laid to rest in a cemetery in town where it would be properly looked after and treasured by everyone, instead of in a remote village to be completely forgotten about despite his immense contribution to nation building.
“A senior statesman whom many have forgotten is Sir Anthony Siaguru of Boikin in the West Coast of Wewak.
“A national day should be declared for all Papua New Guineans to remembers our fallen senior statesmen every year,” he said.