Preparations are underway here in Port Moresby for the Special Parliament Sitting for Late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare on Thursday.
The Parliament Sitting will be held to allow members of parliament to farewell the founding father, with the Governor General and Chief Justice in attendance.
Clerk of Parliament, Kala Aufa says The Special Parliament Sitting only allows for invited guest including Heads of Diplomatic Missions and will be closed to the public due to COVID-19 precautions.
“We only have space for 200 people due to COVID-19 protocols.”
The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary today (March 8) conducted a rehearsal for Thursday’s Special Session starting at Erima where the motorcade will escort the Hearse from the funeral home to Parliament House.
The casket’s precision route will begin from Erima to the Unagi oval, then to the Traffic lights at the Boroko Motors junction, and onwards to the Independence Boulevard.
Once in parliament the casket will be laid at the Grand Hall for 10 minutes before making its way into the main chamber.
In the Chamber, the casket will be laid before the Speaker’s Chair facing Members of parliament. Clerk of Parliament Kala Aufa says final touches in the Chamber are being made to cater for the casket.
Lady Veronica and immediate family members are expected to view the session from the Advisors Box.
Apart from members of Parliament, The Governor-General and Chief Justice will be in attendance as well as former members of parliament, 40 Judges, and 18 Heads of Missions.
Other rehearsals conducted today included the motorcade to Sir Hubert Murray stadium for the funeral service on Friday 12th March.
EMTV and other TV Broadcasters are working to ensure the Special Parliament Sitting on Thursday at 10am as well as the funeral service on Friday will be telecast LIVE for viewers around the country. EMTV will also LIVE STREAM on our Facebook page EMTV Online.
