Member for Moresby North-West (MNW), Hon Lohia Boe Samuel, has praised the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) and the student representative council (SRC) for their initiative in constructing a sculpture of the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare at the university.
Hon Samuel, in his capacity as MP for MNW, expressed his appreciation and said he looked forward to working closely with the university’s management and the SRC to ensure the success of the project.
He made these remarks while officiating the ground-breaking ceremony of the monument with Prime Minister Hon James Marape on the occasion of the second anniversary of Sir Michael’s passing on Friday, 24th February 2023.
The monument, which is the brainchild of the 2021 SRC executives and executed by the 2022 and 2023 SRC executives, is a bust that portrays the founding father and will be built overlooking the university.
The SRC President for 2022, Mr Melvin Tinol, stated that the SRC pursued the monument project because they recognized the significant contribution of Sir Michael to the nation.
Mr Tinol added that last year’s SRC had the intention of pursuing this project as a historical and educational monument for young Papua New Guineans to draw inspiration from.
“Building a monument on the university land is one that will draw inspiration and meaning to young Papua New Guineans,” he said.
He said the monument’s structure would encompass all the significant events that took place in the formative years of PNG between 1972 and 1975. The SRC raised approximately K75,000 specifically for the project.
The monument is expected to be unveiled on Independence Day this year.
Meanwhile, PM Marape thanked the university council and the SRC for the privilege of being part of this occasion and expressed his anticipation for its completion and unveiling on September 16th.
Hon Samuel and PM Marape also joined the university’s program in commemorating the second anniversary of the country’s founding father, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.
