Total expenses for state funeral under K2 million: Tkatchenko

TOTAL expenses incurred during the state funeral for the late Sir Mekere Morauta was below the K2 million allocated, says chairman of the State Funeral Committee and Moresby South MP Justin Tkatchenko.
He could not give the full details but told The National that the committee was organising payments for the service providers.
“We had a budget of K2 million and we worked within that budget to ensure everything got done properly and correctly,” Tkatchenko said.
“We are under budget and we just finalising the details of those that have to be paid for services rendered.
“Our service providers made the state funeral an absolute success with the dignity and honour that the late Sir Mekere was given.”
Service providers included those involved in transportation, catering, logistics, the defence force, police, decorations, construction of the tomb, Parliament and National Housing Corporation.
“This is a partnership between Government departments and State agencies working for one objective to achieve a successful and professional result for the state funeral,” Tkatchenko said.
“Now we can use what had been achieved for the late Sir Mekere as a template for such future events.”
Tkatchenko thanked the people, especially the residents of Port Moresby, for the respect they showed to Sir Mekere when he lay in state and at the state funeral and burial.