Speaker recognised for services

Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Simon Pentanu is among 89 people who have been recognised for their service to the country in this year’s Independence anniversary honours list.
Pentanu was recognised for his service in the senior roles of clerk of the National Parliament, chief ombudsman and as speaker in the House of Representatives.
Pentanu and Yaungtine Koromba received the highest award of Grand Companion of the Order Of Logohu and were conferred the title of “Chief”.
Koromba was recognised for services in Southern Highlands through his contribution over many years in leadership roles including in the education and law and order sectors and as provincial premier.
In the Companion of the Order of the Star of Melanesia category, Dr Mari Ernest Apana, Paula Mek, Rev Jan Sjoerd Pasterkamp and Sumasy Singin, were given awards.
Pasterkamp was recognised for his contribution as the founder of the Christian Life Centre church in 1969.
Prof Pamela Alice Norman received the Officer of the Order of Logohu award for long service in education including as deputy president of the Divine Word University.
Gudmundur Fridriksson, Ralph Dungit Kaule and Ps Michael Opei Wilson were also given the Officer of the Order of Logohu awards.
Gedi Dabu, who was recognised for service to the community and rugby league, received the Member of the Order Of Logohu along with five others.
Twelve people were given awards in the Logohu medal category, five people for the Cross of Medical Service and 10 people for the Distinguished Military Service medal.
NCD Met Commander Chief Supt Perou N’dranou was awarded the Distinguished Police Service medal along with 11 other officers.
The other categories that people received awards were the Meritorious Public Service medal, the Meritorious Community Service medal (MCS) and the Commendation for Valuable Service medal (CVS).