PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare has given his Government’s commitment to making autonomy work on Bougainville.
Sir Michael, who travelled to Buka last week for the Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) meeting with the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), was met on arrival by president Joseph Kabui, ABG leaders and officials.
“I have come as part of my Government’s and my own strong commitment to making autonomy work,” Sir Michael said in a statement.
He said the arrangements for Bougainville autonomy were an integral part of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
“They have been given effect through our national Constitution. Peace building in Bougainville is a national priority.”
Sir Michael said JSB was a key mechanism for consulting and cooperating with the ABG to keep building peace on the ground.
“That is why the Deputy Prime Minister Dr Puka Temu and other senior ministers have come to Bougainville too. So have senior officials,” he said.
The Prime Minister said last week’s JSB meeting was the first since the new Government was formed.
“It provides an opportunity for the National Government and ABG leaders to brief one another on matters of mutual interest and plan the way ahead.”
The main item on the JSB agenda was the ABG’s desire for early transfer of the functions of mining, oil and gas from the National Government to ABG.
Officials from Bougainville and key National Government departments and agencies have been working together and preparing a joint set of proposals for way forward.
“We want to see Bougainville develop an economy capable of sustaining autonomy,” Sir Michael said.
He said while there were important legal and other technical issues including capacity and resources required in order to ensure the transfer of functions and powers is effective, and good governance maintained, the key was to keep building peace.
“We must, therefore be sensitive to the situation on the ground. Peace and good order must be maintained for restoration and development to proceed.
“Reconciliation, based on the removal of barriers to freedom of movement and communication, the continuing disposal of arms, is vital to moving ahead.”
Sir Michael said while Bougainville had come a long way since the Bougainville conflict ended almost 10 years ago, there were many challenges still to be met.
“The outcome of the guaranteed referendum on Bougainville’s political future – which may be as close as just over seven years away – will depend on what we do between now and then.
“That is why I have come to Bougainville to participate in the JSB meeting, to underline my Government’s and my own strong commitment to making autonomy work so we can keep working together to keep and build peace.