Unification paramount for Bougainville
by Lyn Gegera
Unification is paramount for Bougainvilleans in East New Britain and throughout Papua New Guinea in preparation for the upcoming referendum, in 2019.
The ABG President Hon Chief Dr. John Momis made the statement when addressing the Bougainville community at the ABG Day celebrations in East New Britain over the weekend.
“Bougainvilleans we are highly favored, and we alone can make referendum work for us if we stand and work together in unity,” Momis said.
The President also reiterated the need for Bougainville to work consistently and systematically to ensure the three pillars of the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) are achieved before the referendum date. The three pillars include: weapons disposal; good governance and fiscal self-reliance.
ABG Minister for Economic Services Hon Fidelis Semoso also accompanied the President. Semoso shared the same sentiments, calling on all Bougainvilleans to have one goal and also emphasised the need to fulfil the three pillars of the BPA.
“Bougainvilleans and East New Britain friends we must have a common objective to vote for independence,” he said.
He explained that the ABG was doing its best to reach these bench marks through various developments in the region, which included the partial lifting of the Mining Moratorium in Bougainville, building and improving of infrastructure and roads in North, Central and South and creating policies to raise the internal revenue of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, amongst others.
“Your government is at work and I call on all Bougainvilleans to keep having faith, hope and trust for your government,” Mr. Semoso said.
The Bougainville community were reminded of the referendum date set for June 15, 2019. It was stressed that the voting age will be eighteen years and above and that the question asked will be a straightforward and simple vote for or against independence.
“All Bougainvilleans throughout PNG you have the right to vote for referendum,” Mr. Semoso said.
Hon Chief Dr. John Momis thanked the organizing executives and the Bougainville community for staging a very successful celebration. He said that this unity by Bougainvilleans in East New Britain showed their co-operation and support for each other and ABG.
The President, his wife, Lady Elizabeth and ABG Minister for Economic Services Hon Fidelis Semoso represented the ABG at the celebrations in East New Britain and departed, remarking how it was the first time in twelve years for the Bougainville community to come together to celebrate the day. It was also the first successful event staged and witnessed by the President and his delegates.
The celebrations included a showcase of the diverse cultures of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville ranging from bamboo bands to the famous kahur dance uniting all Bougainvilleans.
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