CONDOLENCE MESSAGE: LATE RT HON. SIR JULIUS CHAN GCL, GCMG, KBE, PC
MINISTRY FOR WORKS & HIGHWAYS
Condolence Message
Late Rt Hon. Sir Julius Chan, GCL, GCMG, KBE, PC, MP
Aug 29th 1939 – Jan 30th 2025
To the dearest Family and Relatives of Late Sir Julius Chan, GCL, GCMG, KBE, PC, MP;
On behalf of the Ministry of Works & Highways and the Department including our 21 provincial works office establishment with our 1000 plus staff nationwide, we extend our deepest condolence to the immediate family of late Rt Hon. Sir Julius Chan GCL, GCMG, KBE, PC, MP
We also acknowledge at the highest possible terms that Late Sir J has been a father figure, mentor and a beacon of light for the New Irelands Provincial Works Office establishment especially those Works Managers who took up call to serve in his province including the current Works Secretary Mr. Gibson Holemba until his untimely passing on January 30th 2025.
Late Sir J was the clear example of a perfect statesmanship who achieved a public service legacy of excellence and true servanthood to the helm of his career by becoming the 2nd Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea.
Sir J has a special input to the development aspirations of Telefomin District in 1982 when he was the Prime Minister. He visited my district and signed an MoA for the inclusion of Telefomin District to be recognized as an Ok Tedi Mine preferred area and the establishment of Telefomin District Development Agreement (TDDA). And for this we the Telefomin people are so grateful of his leadership and service to my people.
His legacy has molded and shaped many young leaders of today in different sectors and industry players who have happened to cross paths with this great leader of New Ireland and PNG.
Under Sir J’s leadership as the Governor we completed the sealing of Boluminski in 2019 and delivered many other critical infrastructure in New Ireland. Poreporena freeway in Port Moresby was constructed during his term as the Prime Minister.
As a fellow colleague and parliamentarians in this 11th parliament I must say that most of the young fellow leaders and people that have cross paths with him are well groomed and inspired by his achievements by displaying high ethnical standards, punctuality and display professionalism at all time during official state engagements.
I thanked and pay homage to Sir J for his foresight and wisdom to see the potential in the next generation of young leaders such as he foresight with other founding fathers like Late Sir Michael Thomas Somare and others who gave Independence to our country. Sir J gave hope and encouragement to those he mentored and that in itself is very inspirational.
Sir J, you passed on doing what you loved best and the whole department including the NIP Works Office pay our utmost respect and sympathy especially to Lady Stella, children Vanessa, Andrea, Byron, James, Mark, Gavin, and Toea Julius. His Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren and his people of Susuranga, and Piklam Clan, Peoples Progress Party (PPP), New Irelanders and Papua New Guineans.
In this time of mourning and sorrow, may you all be surrounded by love and support from families, friends, and fellow citizens who share this saddest moment at the eve of the 50th years of Golden Jubilee Celebration scheduled to happen in September 16th 2025. It is with a heavy heart that you are so near but yet so far to see your beloved PNG turn 50 years.
PNG has lost a Knight, a father, a friend, a grandpa, a leader, a mentor, a husband, and a founding Father of PNG.
Vale Sir J, the 2nd Prime Minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, the master of playing the game and truly the LAST MAN STANDING!
Sir J you are a true Champion in playing the GAME. You fought well, you fought a good fight, and you left us doing what you loved, now may your Soul Rest In Eternal Peace until we meet again in the Golden Morning, REST IN PEACE, Sir J.
Hon. Solan Mirisim
Minister for Works & Highways
