Group reviews report

 THE Referendum Committee on Bougainville met last Friday to receive the final report from a panel of international experts who conducted the review, an official says.

Government Chief Secretary Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc told the Joint Supervisory Body meeting in Kokopo, East New Britain, the review was compulsory and a requirement under the Papua New Guinea Constitution.

He said the PNG and Bougainville governments were required to conduct the review every five years, starting from the first anniversary of the establishment of the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

Sir Manasupe said the review of the autonomy arrangements had four aspects: legal and constitutional, governance and administration, financial arrangements and economic and social development.

“It’s an extensive technical report,” he said. 

“Today the panel of experts presented the summary of the findings and recommendations to the referendum committee which I chaired.  

“The committee’s role is to determine the legal, constitutional, financial and administrative aspects to prepare for the conduct of the referendum between 2015 and 2020.

“As part of fulfilling this role, the committee has embarked on the engagement of the panel of experts. 

“The review report will be tabled at the JSB proper tomorrow for the development of a detailed implementation plan.”