MP leads traditional farewell

**Namatanai MP and Forestry Minister Walter Schnaubelt participating in the traditional ceremony at Liedan village in Central New Ireland. – Picture supplied**

EIGHTEEN pigs marked an important traditional ceremony at Liedan village in Central New Ireland, Namatanai, last week to farewell the late Dessie Toxomone who died in a motor vehicle accident along the Buluminsky Highway.
Namatanai MP Walter Schnaubelt, who took the lead in the traditional ceremony to pay his respects, urged villagers and nearby communities to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
“Please help to deliver services to the people and not cause disruption of any kind,” he said.
“There are ways to address problems and challenges.
“The law and order issues are being addressed by the police through the law and justice system that is enforced by the police.
“We will now make it bringing a sub-buying point to Central New Ireland so that the women do not have to travel far.
“We all have learnt a lesson and you all are still my priority.
“I ask for normalcy.
“When we pay our respects to the late Toxomone, we should continue with this programme for other mothers to benefit. Stopping this programme is not an option, but to correct the wrong.”