The decision to decide the fate of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville rests solely with the people of Bougainville.

Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare made this statement in his thanksgiving address to the people of Bougainville in Buka Town today.

“The 6^th of June next year the people of Bougainville will be given the privilege to choose whether to remain a part of Papua New Guinea or become an independent nation,” the Grand Chief said.

“You have a very experienced leader and statesman in President Chief Dr John Momis who will lead you in the right direction and you must be grateful that he is the one leading you so you must support him” he urged.

“Prior to PNG’s independence your President and I travelled throughout the country to gauge the views of the people on our path to eventually statehood,” he said.

He said it was an arduous journey but with the support of the current ABG President and PNG’s first Knight and Pangu Pati leader, the late Sir Paul Lapun and the late Sir Donatus Mola PNG was able to gain independence.

Next year Bougainville will also have the privilege to go through the same process, as Prime Minister the Grand Chief has always provided support to the autonomous arrangements on Bougainville to ensure the people are not marginalised.

With the people of Bougainville thanking Sir Michael for his services to the country the Grand Chief also thanked Bougainville for its support to him and the rest of the country.

He paid a special tribute to the late Sir Paul Lapun, the late Sir Donatus Mola, the late Raphael Bele and President Momis for their immense contribution to the development of Papua New Guinea.

“President Momis played a vital role in shaping this country through his commitment to developing a home grown constitution as the De Facto Chairman of the Constitutional Planning Committee,” he said.

“I give my heartfelt gratitude to the people and leaders of Bougainville for their support and belief in me as we were preparing the country for self-governance,” the Grand Chief said.

The Grand Chief’s trip to Bougainville was to farewell and thank the people as well as to open the new ABG Presidential Villa in Buka Town.

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