Loyal leader passes away

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has described Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc as a most humble and genuine person, who always maintained a common touch even though he held the highest office in the public sector.
O’Neill, in a statement, offered his condolences to the family of Sir Manasupe following his passing yesterday.
Sir Manasupe, 56, from Sattelberg in Finschhafen, Morobe, spent over 30 years in the public service.
He rose up to become the Morobe secretary, provincial administrator and secretary for Provincial Affairs before becoming chief secretary.
Last February, Sir Manasupe, a lawyer by profession, stepped down from he revealed that he had Parkinson’s disease.
“It is with great sadness that the nation has learned of the passing of the late Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc, one of our great servants of the people,” O’Neill said.
“To Lady Zurenuoc, his extended family, and the people of Finschhafen, I offer the deepest condolences of our Government and a grateful nation.
“For three decades, Sir Manasupe served the people of PNG, and earlier, the people of Morobe.
“It was my esteemed honour, to have worked with Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc as the chief secretary to our Government for four years.
“This was through some of the most challenging times that our country has faced at a political and economic level.
O’Neill said Sir Manasupe’s advice was of the highest level, which was always sound and wise.
“His conviction was to do what was right,” he said.