Sir Paul, a true campion of public service, says Marape

Prime Minister James Marape has expressed deep sorrow on the passing of Sir Paul Songo, describing him as a distinguished leader and a true champion of public service in Papua New Guinea.

He said Sir Paul held several key roles during his career, including serving as the Chairman of the Public Services Commission, Secretary for Education, Secretary for Personnel Management, and Secretary for Health.

He also represented PNG as the High Commissioner to Australia. His leadership was pivotal in strengthening public service systems, ensuring that government institutions operated effectively and efficiently.

"His leadership extended to negotiating fair compensation agreements between mining companies and landowners.

"As the independent chairman of the Compensation and Relocation Agreement [CRA] negotiations for Lihir gold mine, he secured K2 billion in compensation and relocation benefits for local landowners," Marape said.

Marape added that his leadership roles across various sectors of government demonstrated his unwavering commitment to PNG’s growth and progress.

Prime Minister Marape highlighted Sir Paul’s legacy in education, where he oversaw record student enrollments during his tenure as Secretary for Education, reflecting his commitment to expanding learning opportunities for Papua New Guineans.

Meanwhile, Marape concluded by urging all public servants to reflect on Sir Paul’s life of service
and strive to work with the same dedication to build a better future for PNG.

“Let us honour Sir Paul Songo’s legacy by continuing his work of nation-building."