THE casket containing the body of the Member for Kerema, late Richard Mendani, has been Lied-In-State at the Grand Hall in Parliament today.
This was to allow for the Members of Parliament led by Prime Minister James Marape and Opposition Leader Belden Namah to pay their last respect before the casket leaves for Kerema tomorrow for burial.
The late Mendani was reported to have died from COVID-19 in association with his initial diagnosis of pneumonia at the age of 53 at Port Moresby International Hospital (PIH) on the 19th of March, 2021.
He died after serving his second term in Parliament as Member for Kerema. He was first elected to the 9th National Parliament in 2012 and then re-elected to 10th National Parliament in 2017 National Elections.
During his term as an MP, late Mendani served as member of the Constitutional Laws and Acts and Subordinate Legislation Committee, Private Business Committee and Public Accounts Committee and was Chairman of the Economics Affairs Committee.
Late Mendani also served as a Shadow Minister for Petroleum and Energy and Geo-Assets and State Owned Enterprises.
The casket of late Mendani will be airlifted by PNG Defence Force Air Transport Squadron hanger at 7am tomorrow and arrives in Kerema at 8am.
Deputy Speaker Koni Iguan, who will be accompanying the body of the late Mendani will hand over the casket to Gulf Governor, Chris Haiveta upon arrival at Kerema.
Governor Haiveta will then hand over the casket to the district officials before the casket is laid to rest in Kanabea Local Level Government where he comes from.
