03/02/2025
A Tribute to a Great Friend, Sir J, Farewell
03rd February 2025
It was on a hot Port Moresby day in September 2019, at around 12 midday I got a call from renowned Papua New Guinean motivational speaker, strategist and executive, it was Mr. Jerry Wemin, who had known me in our time as Independent Members of Department of Works Internal Audit Committee from 2014 to 2015. He was the Chairperson, and I was his deputy.
He said, would you be interested in a short-term role with the New Ireland Provincial Government? I was unemployed and looking for opportunities and this was like music to my ears. I agreed instantly. Mr. Wemin told me to go meet a person by the name of Dr. Mako Kwimb at the Fly River Haus, Gordons at 2pm. Dr. Mako Kwimb is PNG’s finest legal expert in Mineral Resource law. He was instrumental in drafting key legislations in our mining law in our country. After this meeting, I signed a two weeks contract to help do an audit of the New Ireland Provincial Government Accounts.
On the morning of Wednesday 9th October 2019, I was called by Dr. Kwimb to make my way to Parliament to meet up with Sir Julius Chan. You know, I was anxious, exited and also confident to finally meet this great man, one of the founding father’s of our nation, second prime minister and two time Prime Minister was truly a defining moment in my life. Growing up in Simbu and attending the Kundiawa Luthern Day High School, I had the opportunity to saw him every morning taking a walk from Kundiawa Town to Gon Hill and back when he brought the entire Cabinet to Simbu for its NEC Meeting in 1994. On Sunday he attended a local SP Intercity game between the Simbu Warriors and the Mendi Muruks. So to be called up by this great person to meet him and to work for him was truly an honour.
Later on, I was again asked to do another major audit into the accounts of the New Ireland Provincial Government in early 2024 as there were serious issues of fraud, abuse and theft of public funds. I had the opportunity to bring my wife and colleague Mr. Elvis Rumints to meet Sir Julius in his beautifully oval office in Kavieng, New Ireland Province. He personally showed us around the Niu Ailan Government Haus. Upon completion of the work, Sir J asked me and Mr. Rumints to present the final report to its full Provincial Executive Council (PEC) on 9th July 2024. He chaired the meeting and agreed on the report and its recommendations.
He later established a separate committee to ensure the findings of the report is carried out offenders put behind bars. Sir J does not tolerate corruption, abuse and theft of public funds. The committee comprises of our very own Simbu intellects in Dr. John Tonar (his long time Physician for over 20 years), Dr. Peter Ga’allah Kora, Maimai David Motsy (former advisor to Kavieng’s favourite son late Ben Micah) and myself.
As we farewell him today to Kavieng and onto his resting place in Huris, I want to challenge our leaders and future leaders as well.
Our leaders must put our people and nation and dedicate their aspirations and dreams for a greater Papua New Guinea to the Almighty God. Our LORD created man in his image and leaders play a special role as stewards of a nation’s resource and its people. Leadership is about the people.
PNGs national budgets and development plans must aspire to make Papua New Guineans great in every area, something our forefathers like Somare, Chan, Okuk, Guise, Nombri, Lapun, Sali, Momis, Kaputin, Rarua, Mekere, Lepani, Namaliu, and others believed and promoted in their lifetimes. Although times have changed, the concept of loving and looking after the people hasn’t changed.
Papua New Guinea is blessed with so many intellects and natural resources that can propel it to another level not within the next 50 years but within the next 10 years.
The demise of Sir Julius Chan closes the last chapter of our colonial era where they fought for political independence and nationhood that we enjoyed today.
The next chapter of our country starting in the eve of our country’s 50th Independence Celebrations must be about “ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE”. Our days of relying on foreigners expertise and aid must end. Our leaders must ask God for the wisdom and knowledge to help them devise the “Economic Strategy” and Roadmap that will lead us out of Egypt and into the PROMISE LAND.
I believe we have the perfect blueprint in two key areas that will change this country. Firstly, PNG must strive to enhance Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs) through the concept of Special Economic Zones (SEZs). Furthermore, the PNG Stock Exchange (PNGX) must now play an active role for aspiring investors and business man and woman to access capital for growth and advancement. We must not be spectators in our own land.
Our leaders secondly must make capital easily available through our commercial banks and financial institutions to support small to medium enterprises (SMEs). SMEs play a vital role in nation’s journey to economic independence. Further, our government must support the conversion of land to bankable land where it can be used for accessing capital for development, job creation and improvement of life.
Jobs and contracts must be equitably shared and meritocracy must be the key corner stone for appointments. If PNG is to progress, there must be unity, without it, this country will disintegrate into a state of anarchy and destruction. All of us have a role to play and leaders must now follow the leadership style of Somare and Chan to charter a new chapter and destiny for our country.
May the soul of Sir Julius Chan Rest in Eternal Peace.
Stanley Wasi
Consultant to New Ireland Provincial Government
