Mum’s wailing brings PM to tears

Siloga Samb (wearing mask) the mother of the late Goilala MP William Samb crying in disbelief when the casket bearing the body of her son arrived at the Jackson International airport in Port Moresby on Friday. – Nationalpics by KENNEDY BANI

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
THE mother is held back as she mourns to be with her son, her wails bring the Prime Minister James Marape and the government delegation to tears as she wails “my son, my son”.
The body of Minister for Commerce and Industry William Samb arrived in Port Moresby after a long flight from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, via Singapore on Friday evening.
The flight took a turn over the ocean doing a small fly over Goilala before landing at Jackson’s Airport.
His casket was accompanied by his wife Christine and youngest son Elliot.

**Women from Goilala mourning the death of late Goilala MP William Samb during the traditional ritual ceremony at the Sir John Guise stadium in Port Moresby on Friday.**

They were supported by officers of the department.
A slight delay on arrival stopped the casket arrival procession by an hour, once it was fixed, the casket was brought out to the Jackson’s International Airport’s ceremonial car park.

John Malbet the chief of Uluna, Omboli, Tiviro in Ward 8, Woitape local level government in Goilala, Central, sharing betel nut as part of a tradition ritual ceremony for late Goilala MP William Samb at the Sir John Guise stadium in Port Moresby on Friday.

Once the casket was brought out, Samb’s elderly mother Siloga let out a wail.
In language she cried, “My son, my son” she screamed as they laid the casket down, she rushed forward, wanting to be with her son.
Her other son Carlos and another relative hold her back as she tries to break their grip.
Siloga was the apple of her son’s eyes, he did everything for her and always brought her to Port Moresby to be with him.
Her wails of anguish brought tears to Marape’s eyes and those of his government ministers who all regarded Samb as the heart of the Government, a warrior of the country and a nationalist.

**Prime Minister James Marape comforting Goilala MP late William Samb’s daughter Emanuella at the Jackson International airport in Port Moresby on Friday.**

Fr Brian Cahill from Bereina diocese blessed the casket and led the mourners in a prayer for Samb.
Central Governor Robert Agarobe in tears said, “Samb was a brother, he was supportive and we both had big plans for Central and Goilala.
“My brother this is hard for me to comprehend your loss.”
Marape said, “Small in stature but revered by his colleagues, he had the heart for his people, it was country, Goilala and family for my good minister.”
Samb’s oldest child is Emanuella, followed by Jonathan and Elliot.
Samb also adopted two girls Helen and Jacinta.
All children were present as they welcomed their father home.