Its official: The declaration of a nationwide Public Holiday announced yesterday has been gazetted.
Acting Governor General and Speaker of the National Parliament Job Pomat has issued the National Gazette appointing Friday 8th January, 2021 to be a Public Holiday throughout Papua New Guinea, in accordance and with the advice of the National Executive Council.
The national gazette officially dispels the confusion whether the public holiday is applicable to everyone or specially for public servants following a circular released by the Department of Personal Management allowing for public servants to take time off to witness the state funeral service of the late Sir Mekere Morauta.
The announcement of the Public Holiday came from the Chairman of the Organizing Committee responsible for the State Funeral and Housing Minister Justin Tkatchenko on behalf of the Marape/Basil government.
Minister TKatchenko said this has been sanctioned by the PM James Marape and it is being gazetted so that the whole country can mourn and pay their last respect wherever they are for Late Sir Mekere Morauta.
This is now setting a precedence and a template for State Funerals going forward into the future.
“This is about setting new protocols for us to go by for future events such as this one,” said Minister Tkatchenko.
