​The country's founding father will be finally laid to rest at the Somare Museum at Kreer Heights in East Sepik province. 
Prime Minister James Marape announced this today, (Sunday, 28th February 2021). 
The decision was approved by the cabinet after three consecutive days of the meeting. 
Mr. Marape says the decision was based on his will which he says can not be tampered with by anyone. 

​The Papua New Guinea  Opposition Leader is pleading with the Marape-Basil government and family to consider laying Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare to rest at Independence Hill. 
Belden Namah reacted shortly after the Government agreed to Late Sir Michael's will to be laid to rest in his home province.
Mr. Namah says he understands his wish but for greater memory and history, Sir Michael should be laid to rest at the Independence hill.
He asked Sir Michael's family to re-consider the decision saying he is 'Somare' to Papua New Guinea.

The Papua New Guinea party is endorsing former  Secretary for Department of Community Development, Youth and Religion, Ms ANNA Bais  for Port Moresby North-West Open seat by-election which was left vacant by the passing of late Sir Mekere Morauta.  Party leader and Governor of Jiwaka Dr. William Tongamp with party founder Sir Peter Ipatas  have endorsed Ms Anna to run under their party. 

Ms ANNA Bais was Secretary for Department of Community Development, Youth and Religion but she resigned to contest the Port Moresby North West Open by-election left vacant by late Sir Mekere.  Ms Bais announced  in a packed  Sir John Guise indoor stadium with public Servants  during their  dedication ceremony in Port Moresby that she is quitting and that was her last time to attend the dedication for public servants.

A special PNG parliament session will be held on Friday, the 12th of March, 2021.
All members of parliament, representing each district in the country will pay their last respect to Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.
Prime Minister James Marape says a state funeral will be held later in the afternoon to ensure Sir Michael is given a well-deserved send-off to his final resting place.

Papua New Guinea flags will be lowered across the country and its diplomatic missions and embassies around the world starting today, as the country enters a national mourning period for the passing of its founding father Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare. 
Prime Minister James Marape while conveying his heart-felt condolences this morning on the passing of the Grand Chief, has announced a 'national mourning period' for Sir Michael.
 ''Our Nation enters the mourning period, and he's appealed to citizens wherever they are to observe a 'week of silence, peace, and calm.
 "We pay respect to this one person whom our country owes much, he is unmatched by any one of us who comes after him.

Community leaders in Wewak along with Late GC Sir Michael's supporters are now calling on the East Sepik Provincial Administration to set up a proper "hauskrai"  in Wewak to allow mourners to go and show their sorrow to the Late founding father of the nation.
Businessman and Community leader Stanley Samban told NBC News late this afternoon that it is a normal Melanesian culture that when someone dies, a hauskrai must be setup to allow relatives and friends to go and pay their respects.

Police in Port Moresby shot and captured two crime suspects who had homemade guns in a daring car chase involving police and criminals at Morata at 3pm today.
A female motorist and her child were held up by a group of armed thugs at Erima and their black van was stolen at gun point.
The suspects then escaped with the vehicle towards the Wild Life back road but then, a Fox Unit intercepted the stolen car and gave chase. The suspects drove into Morata near the electricity plant and abandoned the vehicle, but as they were fleeing on foot, two of them were shot and captured by members of the Fox Unit. 

Papua New Guinea's founding father and "Father of the Nation' Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare has died. This was announced by Prime Minister James Marape. 
The prime minister released the following statement.
"It is with great sorrow and grief that I announce the passing of the Father of our Nation Grand Chief Sir Micheal T Somare.
His Doctor texted me that at 12:10 am today the great man was rested. God gives and God rested him from the pain and toils of life. There is a ‘session for every thing, a time to born and a time to die ‘ Ecclesiastes 3:2.

Papua New Guinea Minister for Police Hon. William Gogl Onglo says the lockdown of Konedobu Police Headquarters today after 12pm was for contractors to disinfect the office building and should not cause any alarm for all Police Stations around the Country.
"Our Deputy Police Commissioner Operations Mr Yamasombi gave notice to all Occupants of Police HQ at Konedobu to vacate their offices today after 12pm simply to disinfect the facility. This is specific and should not affect Police operations around the country", says Minister Onglo.

​Papua New Guinea has recorded another COVID-19 death bringing the total number of deaths from COVID-19 to 11.
A 67 year old male from the National Capital District is the latest reported COVID-19 death. He was admitted to the Port Moresby General Hospital on the 21st of this month and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit till his death.
The death comes as 28 new cases have been reported in the Western Province and in the National Capital District - 20 in Western Province whilst eight in the NCD.
In NCD, a total of four males and four females between the ages of 24 to 54 were tested positive. Five case showed symptoms of COVID-19 whilst three were asymptomatic at the time of testing. Five of the eight cases came into contact with a previous positive case.