Party president’s tearful welcome

 THE body of prominent Western Highlands businessman and ruling People’s National Congress president Simon Korua arrived in Port Moresby from Cairns yesterday to hundreds of mourners, including Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.  

Korua, who died in Cairns on July 8, arrived on a chartered HeviLift aircraft at 3pm to an emotional welcome from mourners, including his parents.

O’Neill and ministers James Marape, Justin Tkatchenko, Nick Kuman, Mao Zeming, Benjamin Poponawa and Tommy Tomscoll as well as a handful of People’s National Congress MPs,  were present to welcome the body.

The casket was immediately driven off to the Dove Funeral Home on Taurama Road escorted by a massive convoy of mainly Western Highlands-owned vehicles.

The haus krai (mourning house) is directly opposite the funeral home.

Funeral organising committee member, Thomas Nori, said the funeral would be held at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in East Boroko tomorrow and would be flown home to Mt Hagen on Tuesday.

“The prime minister is coming to the haus krai on Friday,” he said.

“Funeral service is on Saturday at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, East Boroko, starting at 1pm.”

Nori, on behalf of family members, thanked those who attended the haus krai and contributed in cash or kind.

“We want to thank all the people who came to the haus krai and have contributed in cash or kind,” he said.

“On behalf of the organising committee and family, we also really appreciate government assistance, and especially that from the PNC.”