Huge gap in trust: Marape

THERE is a huge gap in the element of trust between Waigani and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) concerning the implementation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) and the Bougainville referendum, Prime Minister James Marape says.
Marape made the remarks in Parliament last Wednesday during debate on the status report on the implementation of the BPA and the Referendum presented by the Parliamentary Bipartisan Committee on Bougainville Matters (PBCBM).
“The issue of Bougainville is one of the biggest and the most important issue facing us as a sovereign nation since Independence,” he said.
“It deserves the greatest respect and attention from both sides, the PNG Government and the ABG (Autonomous Bougainville Government).”
Marape said the government remained committed towards the intention and the spirit of the 2001 peace agreement (BPA).
He said while he commended the past leaders and governments for their tremendous efforts in the peace building, since 2001, both governments had not really went on forward in implementing the BPA.
“Despite us (PNG Government) giving some money to them under the BPA, the element of trust between Waigani and Bougainville has increased to such a huge gap.”
The referendum is planned for Nov 23.