Joint Ministerial Taskforce: Service delivery will continue after vote
Concerns raised by Bougainvilleans on uncertainty of service delivery after the referendum is being addressed by the Joint Post Referendum Taskforce.
ABG Minister for Peace Agreement Implementation, Albert Punghau and his National Government counterpart and Minister for Bougainville Affairs, Sir Puka Temu, are both co-chairs of this Taskforce and they have given assurance that the current government services will continue after the referendum vote.
“The National Government is fully committed to deliver the referendum for Bougainville and we have received confirmation from Minister Temu that PNG will continue to support Bougainville in finances and capacity,” said Punghau.
Yesterday in Buka, following the Joint Supervisory Body meeting between the two governments, Minister Temu presented a total of K8 million to the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
From this financial support, K2 million will go to the completion of the Arawa School of Nursing, while K4.5 million will be used through the ABG Ministry of Peace of Agreement Implementation for non-electoral referendum activities which include support to the security aspect of the referendum. K1.5 million will go the Bougainville Referendum Commission in recognition of the two government’s priority of delivering a successful referendum.
Minister Temu in his remarks when presenting the cheques, called on all Bougainvilleans across the nation and in the four overseas locations, to participate in this important process. He also reaffirmed the national government’s commitment to service delivery in Bougainville during and after the referendum.
“Our commitment is not only in the political space with the referendum, but our commitment as two governments is to make sure services continue to be rolled out during this political dynamics,” he said.
Minister Punghau on behalf of the ABG expressed his gratitude for the financial support which will greatly assist in ensuring that a successful referendum is delivered for Bougainville.
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