Caption: The late Finau Mara explaining
what she loved doing, last week to this reporter.
By MATTHEW VARI
Wednesday, July 9, 2014 (Midweek Chronicle, PNG)
MINISTER for Tourism and Culture Boka Kondra has
conveyed his deepest sympathies to the participating countries of Fiji and
Solomon Islands and their families following the deaths of a member from each
of the countries participating.
Both he said had died of natural causes one on
Saturday and the other on Sunday.
“On behalf of Government and people of PNG I and the
chair and staff of festival extend my sympathies to participants, government,
and people of the Solomon Islands and Fiji, especially the grieving family and
relatives of the deceased, please accept our sympathies and know that we stand
with you during this time,” Minister Kondra said.
“On Saturday July 5, we lost the late Mr John Tahinao
Director of Solomon Islands Cultural Commission and Head of Delegation, and on
Sunday the 6th we lost the late Ms Finau Mara a traditional waever in the Fiji
delegation.”
The Body of Ms Mara is currently at funeral home at
Erima awaiting the closing of the festival, while the body of late Tahinao
flown today to the Solomon Islands accompanied by Minister Kondra yesterday.
“We are working together to notify their families to
make sure our late colleagues and their families back home are accorded the
respect and support they deserve at this time of personal loss,” he said.
“My hearth is heavy as the festival has experienced
two deaths and keeping with custom the O’Neill-Dion Government and my ministry
will do all we can to support the Solomon Islands and Fiji High Commission to
repatriate our late family members to their respective countries.”
The Minister revealed that according to the reports of
both deaths that were investigated by police, team leaders, and Doctors from
both countries- it had been confirmed that they both died of heart attacks.
“It is very unfortunate with our medical support staff
and all that was required was provided but unfortunately they were pronounced
dead on arrival at the hospital.”
“It is beyond my control- I believe it is a natural
death that was verified by Doctors and police.”
“Solomon Islander chose to repatriate body immediately
because as long as it was here they would not perform as it was disrespectful
to do so, as for the Fijians they have made a decision to keep body here until
the end of the festival.”
Festival Chairman and Acting Director of the festival
Dr Jacob Simet pointed out that it was not the first time that festivals in the
region had experienced such unfortunate circumstances.
“Deaths during the festival are not something new to
the festival and other festival in the region for that matter,” Dr Simet said.
“There was a Solomon Islander who died in 2010 in
American Samoa and we had to go through the same process there.”
“In 2006 a Vanuatuan also died in the same festival,
also in 2000 a New Zealander also died in Noumea in the Pacific Festival of
Arts, but as for us we are a bit unfortunate because there are two deaths.”
He said that in the future it should become a matter
of principle for everyone to be checked medically before they come to
festivals.
“I know the Fijians have got a doctor, and we try to
circumvent this kind of situation by suggesting to people that you bring your
own doctor, but despite that this kind of things still happen,” he said.
“There are medical facilities in the festival village
and there are arrangement made with Pom Gen for such situations.”
He explained that as the host country and in respect
they would be responsible for the expenses of the funeral home for the casket
and embalming of the bodies, and for the weight to travel by plane.
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