peace ceremony

Making peace

By Patrick Matbob

A peace ceremony took place between the people of Yabob and Manam Island in Madang on Saturday to settle a harassment incident that happened last year.

Petronela makes peace.

The incident involved the late Madang Deputy Governor Joe Tola of Manam who reportedly harrassed Bogia Program Manageress Petronela Sampain in September last year. The incident forced Ms Sampain to abandon her job and sparked a protest and petition from women in Bogia. Before the issue could be settled, the deputy governor was killed in a plane crash with seven others a month later at Rai Coast.

Ms Sampain and her clan elders from Yabob village organised the ceremony to settle the issue so that she could return to her work at Bogia.

The ceremony was witnessed by three kukurais (chiefs) of Manam, Tola’s relatives and Yabu LLG members who assured Ms Sampain that she could return to work and travel freely within Bogia district.

Kukurai Robert Muriki apologised to Ms Sampain for what had happened and thanked her for organising the peace ceremony.

“We are not concerned anymore about what had happened and want you to return to Bogia,” Mr Muriki said.

Another kukurai Eddy Bariamung said when they heard about the problem, they were not pleased with their relative Joe Tola.

He said the problem is now over and urged Ms Sampain to go back to Bogia.

The Yabob people gave the Manam visitors gifts of baskets and clay pots and shared a meal with them. The Manam islanders will reciprocate when they are ready.

Ms Sampain said as a public servant she has promised to serve the people in the rural area but this problem had prevented her to do so.

She said she was happy to return to Bogia and is waiting for the word from her superiors in Madang.

Ends