Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has expressed profound sorrow at the passing of Hon. Solan Mirisim, Member for Telefomin and Minister for Works and Highways, who died in the early hours of this morning.
Prime Minister Marape said he was personally informed at 12:30am and again at 1:30am before travelling to PIH, where he witnessed doctors formally certify the Minister’s passing.
“I stood beside a colleague and brother who had just left us,” Prime Minister Marape said. “It was a deeply painful moment — one that no leader ever wishes to experience. I then accompanied the family to their home as they prepared for the body to be transported to the funeral home. My thoughts are completely with them at this tragic time.”
Prime Minister Marape confirmed he has directed doctors to conduct a complete coronial assessment and post-mortem to determine the cause of death.
Prime Minister Marape described Minister Mirisim as a strong, hardworking, and committed leader whose heart was always with the people of Telefomin.
“He travelled constantly between Port Moresby and Telefomin. He fought for roads, services, and development. The Kiunga–Telefomin road and many other projects bear testimony to his commitment to modernising the district,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“He was a young leader with much more to give our country. His passing is a great loss to the Telefomin people, the people of West Sepik, and Papua New Guinea.”
Prime Minister Marape reflected on his own childhood connection to the district.“I spent my Grade One and Grade Two years in Telefomin. Those were years that shaped my early life, and I have always held the people of Telefomin close to my heart,” he said. “Losing their leader — a man who served them tirelessly — is a pain I share with them.”
The Prime Minister also announced that Parliament will convene today briefly to honour the late Minister’s lifetime of service.
“Caucus has agreed that Parliament will sit today to pay respect to him and acknowledge the work he has done,” Prime Minister Marape said. “After we formally convey condolences on the floor of Parliament, we will proceed to pass the Budget, and then the House will rise so that we may give full attention to the funeral process of our late brother.”
Prime Minister Marape extended his deepest condolences to the Mirisim family, the people of Telefomin, friends, colleagues, and supporters across the country.“To his wife, children, relatives, and the entire Telefomin community, I offer our government’s heartfelt sympathies. May the Lord bring comfort, healing, and strength during this time of immense loss,” he said.
“Papua New Guinea has lost a dedicated servant of the people. We mourn together.”