ARB seeks closer ties with Honiara

PRESIDENT of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARB) John Momis says Bougainville has plans to further strengthen its historical ties with Solomon Islands under a more formal arrangement.
The Honiara-based Solomon Star newspaper reported yesterday that Momis outlined the plan when speaking at the Solomon Islands members of parliament’s induction programme in the capital on Wednesday.
“We must jointly examine approaches to cementing some form of an agreement to further facilitate and foster the already close relationship which our two people enjoy in terms of commercial and social services,” the newspaper quoted him as saying.
“I have given directions to my officials to begin exploring the possibility of such an agreement.”
At the same time, Momis said funding had been secured for a fully operational border post at Kangu in south Bougainville which would make it easier for people to move back and forth.
According to the newspaper, Momis also extended his invitation to the Solomon Islands government to attend the upcoming proposed signing ceremony in Buka next month.
The signing was purposely for a portfolio of memorandum of understanding recording the transfer of the core administrative powers and functions from the PNG national government to the autonomous Bougainville government.
“We are on target for the referendum on the future of Bougainville, the threshold of which is 2015 with 2020 being the outside date by which it must be held,” he said
Meanwhile, Solomons prime minister Danny Philip has appointed PNG-trained journalist and former politician, Alfred Sasako, as his press secretary.
The Solomon Star reported special secretary to prime minister Andrew Muaki confirming that Sasako took up his new job this week.
Sasako had contested the recent national general elections in East Kwaio but lost to current MP Standly Sofu.
He campaigned under Direct Development Party led by new minister for education and human resources Dick Ha’amori.