President dies on LLG election day

 EAST New Britain lost one of its local level government presidents last Thursday – the day of the issue of writs for the 2013 LLG elections.

Samuel Billy, the LLG president for Watom island in the Rabaul electorate, passed away at 10pm after an illness.

Billy, from Rau village and in his late 50s, was serving his second term and had shown interest to contest the 2013 LLG elections.

East New Britain Governor Ereman ToBaining Jnr and acting provincial administrator Wilson Matava said in a joint statement it was a loss to the people of Watom as Billy had contributed to many projects in the province and the Watom LLG.

He was the chairman for health and HIV/AIDS in the provincial assembly

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Inter-Government Relations and Regional MP Leo Dion praised Billy for his service to the province and the Wantom LLG.

“Billy entered politics in 2002 and I as governor appointed him to the provincial executive council as chairman for human resource division, and again as chairman for health after the 2007 elections, a portfolio he held until his passing,” Dion said.

“The late Billy showed great commitment and dedication in his leadership, and contributed immensely to a lot of policy decisions and initiatives to advance ENB.”

He said Billy strove to develop the island community and his achievements include the installation of communication services to the island and the construction of a road.