His Excellency, the President of Fiji, Jioji Konousi Konrote, has conveyed his condolences to the people of Papua New Guinea (PNG), and the family of the late Right Honourable Sir Mekere Morauta.
President Konrote paid his respects on behalf of the Government and people of Fiji today at the PNG High Commission in Suva, Fiji.
In signing the condolence book of the late Sir Mekere Morauta, President Konrote described the late Sir Mekere as a great man of integrity who not only served PNG, but the Pacific at large.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Fiji, my sincere condolences to the government and people of Papua New Guinea, and to the family of the late Sir Mekere. He will be remembered for his contribution to our region.”
Upon receiving the President of Fiji, the High Commissioner of PNG to Fiji, Her Excellency Lucy Bogari presented a gift on behalf of the Government of PNG as a customary token of appreciation to the President, highlighting his presence was a gift to PNG and that the gift symbolizes the solidarity of the relationship between Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
Sir Mekere Morauta, was the seventh Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from 1999 to 2002 and until his demise, Sir Mekere was a serving member of parliament of PNG, representing the Port Moresby North West electorate.
He was an accomplished man in his own right, having been the first economics graduate from the University of Papua New Guinea and rose to serve key departmental head positions in the public service, most notably, as the Secretary for Finance and later becoming the Governor of the Central Bank of Papua New Guinea.
Sir Mekere, is remembered for major public sector reforms and restructuring.
When he assumed the Prime Ministerial post in just two years after entering Parliament, the PNG economy and public institutions were in serious need for rescue and restoration.
His leadership will be remembered as the Prime Minister who laid the foundation for economic recovery and growth.
High Commissioner Bogari described the legacy of Sir Mekere as hallmarked in the wider Pacific region through his leadership in guiding the transitioning of the Pacific Plan into what has evolved into a visionary forecast – the Framework for Pacific Regionalism.
“We remember the astute leadership of Sir Mekere that reset the sails of the Pacific journey ensuring the importance of political will to strengthen regional cooperation and inclusivity in the Pacific.”
“This has now, charted the way forward in securing our Blue Pacific Continent as peoples of the Pacific.”
The PNG High Commission in Fiji had opened a condolence book for signing from Thursday, 24th December 2020 to Friday 08th January 2021 for dignitaries in Fiji inclusive of the resident Diplomatic Corps and Regional /International Organizations’ in Fiji.