Prime Minister James Marape has expressed heartfelt condolences on the sudden passing of Central Bougainville MP, Simon Dumarinu. In a statement, PM Marape praised the late Dumarinu, also known as Father Simon, for his lifelong service to Bougainville as a priest, peacebuilder, and politician. The Prime Minister noted the tragic loss for Central Bougainville, which has now lost two MPs in recent years, offering his thoughts and prayers to the Bougainville during this difficult time. The late MP passed away on Friday, August 9th at the Arawa Hospital, around 2am following a short illness he caught from his small village in Oram in the Panguna district after attending to customary obligations, his office reportedly stated. His body was reportedly placed at Buka General Hospital morgue on Friday, at 6am. Prime Minister Marape highlighted the profound impact of his loss, noting Dumarinu's commitment to the district's development, including his recent work on the Five-Year District Development Plan. "The late Dumarinu wanted development on Central Bougainville, incorporating both the National Government Medium Term Development Plan IV and the Bougainville Integrated Strategic Development Plan 2023–2027," Marape said in his statement. Dumarinu, born on April 4, 1956, played a pivotal role in Bougainville's peace process during the Crisis, contributing to the 1997 end of hostilities and the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement. Ordained as a priest in 1990 after studies in Fiji and Bomana, he later served as a missionary in the Solomon Islands from 1999 to 2006 before returning to Bougainville as Marist Regional Superior. He was re-elected for a second term to the 11th National Parliament in the 2022 National General Election for the Central Bougainville Open seat as a Social Democratic Party candidate, whose party leader is NCD Governor Powes Parkop. According to the Parliamentary Services, the late Dumarinu was a member of Constitutional Laws and Acts and Subordinate Legislation, Privileges, Communications, Health and Customary Land and Land Reforms Chairman Parliament Committees under the Marape-Rosso cabinet. Prime Minister Marape honored his legacy, expressing hope that Dumarinu's efforts for Central Bougainville's development will continue despite his passing.