Momis raises concerns
Despite the changes in leadership in the National Government there were still important aspects of the Bougainville peace process where urgent action and direction is needed.
ABG President Grand Chief Dr John Momis said that the new Prime Minister, James Marape has now assumed these responsibilities and must jointly implement the Bougainville Peace Agreement with the ABG.
The first concerns the promised funding from the National Government to the Bougainville Referendum Commission (BRC), funding which is necessary for the Commission to effectively prepare for and carry out the referendum in a timely and effective manner.
“I ask that the new Marape Government take action to ensure that the additional K20 million promised to the BRC by the National Government is paid as soon as is practicable,” Momis said.
The second matter also relates to the referendum. It concerns the regulations about the conduct of the referendum, which need to be made under the Organic Law on Peace-building in Bougainville.
“Those regulations provide for the forms to be used in the next stage of enrolment of voters. The draft regulation were prepared some weeks ago, but have yet to be approved by NEC and sent to the Governor General for approval,” Momis said.
“It would greatly assist the BRC in its work if the regulations can be actioned as soon as practicable,” Momis added.
“The third matter relates to the funding of the ABG. As you know, that funding is not only provided for under the Bougainville Peace Agreement, but is also guaranteed by the provisions of the National Constitution and the Organic Law on Peace-building in Bougainville,” Momis revealed.
But for this year, for the first time ever, the National Government made no provision in its budget for the annual restoration and development grant.
The lack of funding under that grant has left the ABG with almost no discretionary funding for expenditure.
The fourth matter concerns the next meeting of the Joint Supervisory Body. The agreement the that the previous Prime Minister had with the ABG was that the next JSB be held in early August, shortly before the issue of the writs for the referendum. It was agreed that the JSB be held in Buin, in South Bougainville.
The President said he has requested the new Prime Minister to confirm a date in early August to enable both governments to jointly assess the progress in the preparations for the referendum.
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