The Government has set aside a five day official State Funeral program for Former Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea and East New Britain politician, Late Sir Rabbie Namaliu who passed on in March, 2023.
The program begins tomorrow 13th April for the East New Britain leg and ends on Tuesday 18th of April in Port Moresby for the burial.
East New Britain Province will receive the former PM’s casket tomorrow on a chartered flight from Port Moresby for a Public Funeral Service to be held at Raluana United Church.
The casket will then overnight at Raluana village, the home of late Sir Rabbie’s for the last time.
On day two (2), Friday, a Public Farewell will be held at the Kalabond Oval before the casket is transported to the East New Britain Provincial Assembly House to Lay in State.
At 12pm on Friday, the casket is transported to Tokua Airport ending the ENB leg of the program for repatriation back to Port Moresby to overnight at the Erima Funeral Home until Sunday.
A National Haus Krai will begin the Port Moresby program at the Sir John Guise Stadium on day three (Suday) where invited guests, dignitaries and the public will attend to pay their respect including a Keynote Address from the Prime Minister, James Marape.
The casket is then transported from the Funeral Home to the National Parliament on day four (4), Monday 17th April, where the casket will Lay in State at the Grand Hall for all Members of Parliament to pay their respects before being departed back to the Funeral Home.
The fifth and final day of the program (Tuesday 18th April) will be the official Church Funeral Service and Burial.
The Church Service is set to take place at the APEC Haus. The service will include a Eulogy to be read by Former Member for Lae, Mr. Bart Philemon and Sir Charles Lepani as well as a Family Tribute by Isaac Namaliu and Rabbie Namaliu Jr.
The program will conclude at the Independence Hill for the burial to take place. A keynote address will be made by Prime Minister James Marape before a Final Dedication takes place.
The Late Sir Rabbie Namaliu will be finally laid to rest, closing the 5 day program with a 21-gun salute.