Wenge remembered as defender of provincial rights, says PM

Prime Minister James Marape has hailed the late Morobe Governor Luther Wenge as a 'pillar of democracy,' stating that the veteran politician will be honored with full state recognition.

Marape said Wenge’s death was a huge loss not only for the people of Morobe but for the entire country, indicating his 18 years of leadership and strong advocacy for decentralisation of power to provincial governments.

“Governor Wenge has been in leadership for 18 of the last 50 years in Morobe and our country. We will give him the respect he deserves,” Marape said, adding that Parliament would hold a lying-in-state program before his casket is flown to Lae on Friday.

Marape also commended Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso for maintaining close coordination between the national government, Morobe Province, and the Wenge family during the mourning period.

Wenge, a long-serving leader and defender of provincial rights, is remembered for his push to strengthen provincial governments’ role in Papua New Guinea’s governance. Marape said his legacy would continue to shape the country’s political direction as it marked 50 years of independence.