THE people of Koroba – Lake Kopiago and Hela are mourning the death of their champion and one of their founding father, late Abraham Paiale Elo.
He was their National Member of Parliament between 1977 and 1982 soon after Papua New Guinea got Independence in 1975.
Late Abraham Paiale Elo died in Tari on Tuesday – July 6, 2021 at the age of 82 after battling a long illness.
His body is held at the Tari hospital morgue as family members are preparing funeral arrangements including notifications to the Office of the Hela Governor, Philip Undialu, Member for Koroba – Lake Kopiago, Petrus Thomas and Speaker of National Parliament, Job Pomat, among others.
During his time in Parliament, Late Abraham Paiale Elo was instrumental in building the highway between Poroma to Koroba which today serves the PNG LNG project and other related development activities in the area.
He also built the Koroba high school which today is responsible for many educated elites from the area.
Son, Win Elo described his father as “a charismatic leader whom the colonial masters used aptly to provide leadership and directions so they have full command and control over people straight from the stone-age culture.
“He led his people to prepare for Independence and post-Independence era when the people of Hela was just starting to grasp the meaning of Independence given so soon.
“His persistence to lead continued till he retired from holding public office as late as 2007 and left all leadership to up and coming young educated leaders”.
His death brings to end the last of Hela Patriarchs and leave the leadership squarely on the new generations.
All in all, late Abraham Paiale Elo served as; Tultul, Councilor for two terms, President for two terms, Provincial Member for two terms, and National Member for one term over 49 years of public life.