It is with deep sadness that I acknowledge the passing of Sir Mekere Morauta last Saturday afternoon, 19 December 2020. I know he fought a long battle and finally succumbed to his illness. Mine and Lady Veronica’s thoughts are with Lady Roslyn and James Morauta and Sir Mekere’s extended family at this time.
In paying my respects I acknowledge the role Sir Mekere played at Independence in setting up our structures in the Department of Finance and the various roles he played in the fiscal, macroeconomic and structural policies and institutional reforms of our country. He served PNG well from the very beginning.
I also acknowledge his role in politics when he became a member of parliament in 1997 and later Prime Minister in 1999. In his short term as Prime Minister he introduced notably the Organic Law on Political Parties and Candidates (OLIPACC) that enabled the National Alliance Party to form government and provide political stability from 2002 to 2011.
The National Alliance Government was able to bring PNG back from the brink of economic collapse in 2002 as a result of Sir Mekere’s fiscal reforms. With political stability provided by OLIPPAC and good fiscal management PNG saw almost a decade of constant unprecedented growth.
It is a lesson for us going forward that we must maintain good policies implemented by previous governments if we are truly serving the interests of our people. Furthermore we should give credit where credit is due.
I therefore as former Prime Minister and former leader of the National Alliance Party am grateful to Sir Mekere for his contributions to laying foundations for the building of our nation, PNG.
May his soul Rest In Peace