Stage set to welcome home Teine and Dorpar

By ZACHERY PER in Kundiawa
KUNDIAWA town, the capital of Chimbu, will come to a standstill today when the bodies of the late MP, Joe Mek Teine, and former provincial administrator Joseph Dorpar arrive in a chartered plane.
The two leaders died on Easter Monday in Port Moresby.
Fellow MPs from the province and the highlands region were expected to accompany the caskets into Kundiawa.
Latest updates from the province last night said acting Prime Minister Sam Abal would arrive in Kundiawa   an hour ahead of the chartered plane to receive the caskets on behalf of the state.
Funeral organising committee chairman Peter Aglua said Abal would travel to Kundiawa aboard Kumul One.
He will deliver a speech on behalf of the government at the funeral services, scheduled for today at the Dicksons oval.
Teine, leader of the PNG National Party, was described as a leader whose vision encapsulated development initiatives that were not only confined to his Kundiawa-Gembogl electorate but someone who advocated developments in other districts as well.
At the time of his death, Teine was chairman of the Constitutional Review and Law Reform Commission.
He led a team from his office around the country to gauge views on issues associated with the problems caused by sorcery.
Dorpar, while serving as a Chimbu administrator, contributed immensely to the development of the province.
Schools were expected to close in tribute to the leaders with businesses opening for only half the day.
Members of the Correctional Services and police would provide a guard of honour for the two leaders at the airport.
After their arrival, the bodies will lie in state for people to pay their last respects.
Official mourning will be for a week before their burials.
Two funeral committees had put in place a programme for the week to honour the two leaders.
Chimbu administrator Joe Kunda said police would be out in force to maintain order.
Welcome home banners had been placed at selected locations throughout Kundiawa.