Atolls Constituency declared weapons free
The Atolls Constituency in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville is now declared weapons-free and referendum-ready on Friday 23 November 2018.
This is according to the weapons-free and referendum-ready criteria set by the Bougainville House of Representatives and agreed to by the United Nations.
Member for Atolls and Vice President Hon. Mr Raymond Masono signed the declaration at Han Island, Carteret and exclaimed that the Atolls were ahead of the deadline set for the remaining twenty constituencies yet to be declared referendum ready, which is on December 31st 2018.
“This is significantly a historical day for the Atolls Constituency as we become the only third Constituency to be declared ready and the first to comply with the criteria in the referendum check list,” he said.
“This is no doubt the biggest gathering of the ABG leaders and government officials in any community in the Atolls Constituency ever,” he added.
The whole population of the Carteret gathered on Han Island for the ceremony witnessed by the Minister for Public Service Hon. Mr Robert Hamal Sawa, Deputy Speaker Hon. Ms Francesca Semoso and the newly elected member for Halia constituency Mr Gordon Batek and other government officials.
The declaration was preceded by a reconciliation of 10 crisis related cases between islanders who found themselves on opposing sides of the Bougainville Conflict.
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