The timings on the arrival of the caskets of late Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil and his Close Protection Officer late Neil Maino were slightly changed due to the delay caused by disagreements by the public at Nadzab Airport in Morobe Province earlier this afternoon.
Late Deputy Prime Minister Basil’s casket is now expected to arrive at 6pm and late Maino’s casket will arrive at 5:30pm. Minister for National Events Justin Tkatchenko announced the changes to the officials and public in waiting at the Jackson’s International Airport ceremonial carpark who waited the whole afternoon for the arrival.
Lae MP John Rosso advised that the delay at Nadzab was caused of public disagreement on the uplift of late Basil’s casket onto the aircraft’s cargo bay.
He said they do not want late Basil’s casket to be in the cargo bay and protested for it to be uplifted on a helicopter hence changes were made.
Meanwhile the public at Jacksons Airport also made a scene this afternoon after learning of the delay to which the caskets will arrive late in the afternoon.
