PARLIAMENT ADJOURNED TO APRIL

 

The casket of the Goilala MP lies in state.

LATE SAMB FAREWELLED AS HOUSE ADJOURNS

BY THIERRY LEPANI

In life, he was the champion of his Goilala people. As a politician,  he took it to the next level, endearing the cause of ordinary Papua New Guineans.

Late William Samb's fight for recognition for Goilala, his boldness to promote PNG to the world, unfortunately, and sadly ended on the international stage with his passing in Dubai.

He is fondly remembered not only for being a patriotic MP of Parliament but for his fondness for the poor, homeless, downtrodden and marginalized.

Perhaps it was the reality of his own people and their harsh struggles, that endeared him to champion the cause for the marginalized.

One of the few Goilalas to earn a degree in engineering from the Universityof Technology, Samb believed education would be key to elevating the cause of his people.

His statement: "don't question the intelligence of my people" will be a rallying call in the long run for Goilala.

Goilalas who live in the Rabiagini settlement in Port Moresby.
Picture by BIG PAT 

The Tenth National Parliament  adjourned last Thursday and will reconvene on April 19 for its last sitting.

It was also, sadly,  the last time for the MP for Goilala.

After a sombre session to pay respect to the late Goilala MP William Samb, Leader of Government Business Rainbo Paita moved to adjourn Parliament to April 19, just nine days before the issue of writs.

The expected four-day final sitting will be the last time MPs and colleagues will be together before the dissolution of Parliament and MPs go neck and neck on the campaign trail.

While they have been in the house together for the last five years, the battle lines will be drawn once the mace is carried out of the chamber for the last time and it will be anyone’s game.

With the MPs nearing the end of their contract of employment, they will be hitting the polls to seek re-election by their constituents.

Many MPs wanted to place on record in yesterday’s session that often times their job is not as easy as many point it out to be.

Even though the perks and privileges of being a MP outweigh many jobs in the country, Mr Paita said: “Members of Parliament will only appreciate this when I say it, that most times, most people, even in our own homes, don’t appreciate and recognise us for what we do.

Deputy PM Sam Basil gives his condolence message.

“Most times they don’t understand the sacrifice we make as leaders – as members of parliament, there’s governors and ministers – the time we spend, and most times we are not at home.

“(The) Country begins to appreciate leaders only when they pass away.”

While also marking the passing of Mr Samb, it also dawned on the MPs that his passing makes Samb the seventh MP to pass away in this term of Parliament, and in the last three years.

The unfortunate record was not taken lightly, as East New Britain Governor Nakikus Konga said that Parliament needed to seriously consider re-introducing medical insurance for MPs.

Other MPs appealed to their colleagues for their health to be properly looked after especially when serving multitudes of people that rely on their leadership.

Goilala children welcome visitors to their village at Sivarai Namona, Bomana.
Picture by Lofty

As the countdown begins and until the MPs say their final goodbyes, the fluidity and unpredictability of PNG politics tells us that it is most certainly going to go out with a bang and that this last month still has a lot in store for us.

Late Samb will be long remembered as the only government minister to sacrifice road building machines earmarked for his district by giving these to the people of North Bougainville. 

Handing over the equipment early this year, he said it was an investment that he believed will bring blessings to Goilala.

William Samb will not be around to see the blessings. But in the long run, Bougainvilleans never forget the people who stand by them.

The blessings will surely flow across the Solomon Sea.

Farewell William Samb. 

 

The late Goilala MP William Samb who died in office. Strangely he was elected to the 9th Parliament through a by-election after the death of his predecessor late Daniel Mona, who also died in office. Samb than won the seat back in the 2017 National General Elections.