Leaders pay respect to Akoitai

FOR an hour, the casket of Central Bougainville MP Sam Akoitai laid in state in the Grand Hall of Parliament House.
He was remembered by all who paid their respects including both sides of the House.
Prime Minister James Marape, Deputy Speaker Koni Iguan and other leaders sat with family members to remember the Central Bougainville MP’s life.
The Akoitai family and MPs attended the funeral service at the Sioni Kami United church at 5-Mile later.
The casket was then taken to the family home at Taurama.
Today, the casket will be handed over to Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama at the House of Representatives by Deputy Speaker Koni Iguan in Buka.
From Buka, the charter flight will head to Aropa Airport and Akoitai will be taken to the Sharp Memorial Youth Centre in Arawa.
A helicopter will then take the casket to Kiviri, Wakunai, where it will stay overnight.
From Kiviri, it will depart via helicopter to Togarau for another overnight stay on Saturday. Akoitai will then be laid to rest at Togarau on Sunday.
Akoitai, was born in Wakunai, Bougainville on May 5, 1961.
He was educated at Ruruvu and Iagama community schools then completed Grade 10 at Hutjena High School.
He was employed by Bougainville Copper Ltd from 1978 to 1986, then self-employed from 1986 to 1990.
He was a resistance leader from 1990 to 1997 during the Bougainville crisis.