I wish to announce the sad passing of Dr. Alphonse Gelu in Alotau, Milne Bay Province, earlier today after battling through a short illness.
The late Dr Gelu was a smart and a committed senior public servant and as a new Minister, I was looking forward to utilizing his experience and expertise to implement the Marape/Rosso Government’s initiatives on effective service delivery at the sub-national level when he suddenly passed on today.
He is a sad loss to the country.
My sincere condolences to his wife and the immediate families in Port Moresby and Hoskins, West New Britain Province.
My department will work closely with the immediate family to repatriate the late Dr Gelu’s body from Alotau to Port Moresby.
I request for privacy to be accorded to the family as they mourn this sad loss whilst funeral arrangements are made.