Concerns raised about referendum outcomes

BOUGAINVILLE Affairs Minister Sir Puka Temu is concerned that Bougainvilleans are not fully aware of the economic and political outcomes when voting in the referendum.
“The awareness programmes that have been carried out are ambiguous,” Sir Puka said.
“It (the referendum) is only four months away and time is short. I’m calling on all leaders, including Bougainvilleans, to really cooperate to ensure that Bougainvilleans really know what they will be voting for on Oct 12.
“And I’m also calling on the media to really help carry out awareness on the economic and political situation so that the people will understand in order to decide for their future.”
Sir Puka said he would be spearheading the awareness drive on Bougainville.
“I will be recommending for the shifting of part of the National Coordination Office of Bougainville Affairs (NCOBA) from Port Moresby to Arawa.
“Awareness is not yet to the fullest. We have to really upscale the awareness. This is why I’m demanding funds for the process.
“We really have to go out. Particularly this month and whole of July and before the writs are issued on August 16 because after the writs are issued there will be no more awareness.
“It will be campaigning period.”
Sir Puka said former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill in May had written to Autonomous Bougainville Government president John Momis on his version of the definitions of independence and greater autonomy.
“When I’m in Bougainville, I will be discussing it and that will form the basis for awareness.
“What we want people to vote for them to know what we mean ‘independence’ and what to we mean by ‘greater autonomy’.