Morobe welcomes Sir Michael with a gift

MOROBE people accorded Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare a warm welcome yesterday as they turned up in hundreds to greet him.
Morobe residents and schoolchildren ensured there was not a dull moment when they received the country’s first prime minister at the Tutumang Building with singsing, dancing and flag-waving.
Sir Michael led Mamose governors Kelly Naru (Morobe) and Jim Kas (Madang) to the opening of the Mamose governors’ congress. Amkat Mai (West Sepik) was absent.
Sir Michael was accompanied by wife Lady Veronica and daughter Bertha.
He described himself as the “scabies mite” of politics that tingled at the helm of politics in the past nine elections.
He said parliament was crucial in this era to discuss critical socio-economic activities and issues of trade within the region, neighbouring provinces and country.
“However, today is not the good moment in time as the prices of goods are soaring. Mothers and women in rural areas cannot sell their garden produce such as bananas, taros, sugar cane and aibika at good prices,” Sir Michael said.
“We are facing tough economic times and if the prime minister comes here and tries to convince you, never listen to him.”
Sir Michael applauded the people of Morobe and Papua New Guinea for their confidence in him and for supporting his leadership in parliament for 40 years.
“In PNG, I count everyone from the mountains to the jungles, and coastline across the seas to the islands.”