Government, ABG discussing nation-building issues, says Lera

By DELORESE TALASI
TALKS between the Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) are underway to identify issues which will be discussed during the transition period, says Bougainville Regional Member Joe Lera.
He told The National that following the referendum held last year, discussions on nation-building issues such as law and order, public service, poverty, corruption, the economy and leadership began.
He said the two governments were yet to decide the transitional government – either the new one to be formed next year after the election or the current ABG.
“Negotiations on committees are also going on. One committee is the ministerial taskforce. Now they are looking at the secretariat committee to be made up of Bougainvillean leaders selected from the government, churches, women groups and chiefs. The secretariat committee will negotiate issues like the duration and timing of the transition period and also the ratification,” he said.
“The two governments have to come to an agreement before the Joint Supervisory Body will approve it to become official.”
He said discussions on how Parliament will ratify the results are still in progress.
“The ministerial task force is working on the transition and the referendum issues. After the transition, the new transitional government will write up a new independent constitution,” he said.