The much-anticipated series of project launchings for the Kikori Electorate schedule for last Friday 19th June, was postponed due to the untimely passing of a Ward Member from West Ihu Local Level Government (LLG).

Prime Minister James Marape was expected to accompany Minister for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs and Member for Kikori Electorate, Soroi Eoe, to officiate at the launching event. Unfortunately, the untimely passing of Mr. Joshua Kovah, the vice chairman of the events organizing committee for the launch and ward member in the Ihu LLG, put a halt to all preparations and proceedings of the launching program last week.

According to an officer from the Office of the Member for Kikori and Minister for DPLGA, they were instructed by Minister Soroi to postpone the event in respect of Late Mr. Kovah.

Late Mr. Kovah was a respected leader amongst his colleague Ward Members in the West and East Ihu LLG’s and was said to have played a lead role in organizing the event for the program launchings.

The Vice President of West Ihu LLG said that it is rightly so that Minister Soroi had to defer the launch program to a later date as a sign of respect for the Late Mr. Kovah and his family. And also, it is the right thing to do customarily, just to avoid unnecessary pressure from his people, especially his immediate family and loyal supporters.

The postponed Launching events will be rescheduled to a later date, as advised accordingly by the Minister's Office.