The Autonomous Bougainville Government President Ishmael Toroama has expressed his sadness at the passing of the Member for Mahari Constituency Hon. John Tabinaman.

Mr Tabinaman passed away this morning at the Buka Hospital where he was being treated after a brief illness.

“On behalf of the government and people of Bougainville I offer my deepest sympathies to the family of the Late John Tabinaman and the people of the Mahari Constituency for this untimely loss,” President Toroama said.

“I pay tribute to his long service as a leader on Bougainville and more importantly for his contributions in the Bougainville House of Representatives over the last sixteen years,” President Toroama said.

“The Late John Tabinaman has had the distinction of being the only member of the ABG who has been elected to four full terms with the latest being cut short by his untimely demise,” President Toroama revealed.

“He faithfully served Bougainville with dignity and honor as a member of this house and as a member of cabinet in the previous governments; holding several important portfolios,” President Toroama said.

“His greatest distinction however came in 2008 when the ABG was at its infancy stages. He became Vice President to the Late Joseph Kabui and then assuming the role of Acting President upon the death of President Kabui,” President Toroama added.

“With the ABG being only three years old at the time the Late John Tabinaman managed to hold together the government and bring stability to the bureaucracy until the election of President James Tanis in 2009,” President Toroama said.

“His perseverance and integrity as a leader cannot be easily determined without first understanding his person,” President Toroama said.

President Toroama described the Late John Tabinaman as a pious man whose strong Christian values were reflected on the type of leader he was. His ideals were based on respect for oneself as well as those of his fellow men.

“I pray that God gives comfort to his family and the people of Mahari. May His Soul Rest in Peace,” President Toroama said.

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