Manage referendum carefully: O’Neill

IALIBU-Pangia MP and leader of Peoples’ National Congress (PNC) Party Peter O’Neill has called on the Government to manage the Bougainville Referendum carefully.
O’Neill speaking on the eve of the referendum, which will be held tomorrow, said the question before the people of Bougainville in the coming weeks is one of the most important public votes in the nation’s history.
He said the Bougainville peace process started under the PNC Government led by Sir Bill Skate.
“It is of great importance to our party and the government we led for the past eight years,” O’Neill said.
“I am concerned at the level of awareness that has been undertaken that would enable voters to make an informed decision.
“Now the vote must be undertaken in a peaceful manner, properly supported by our security forces to ensure transparency and public confidence, then after the vote the ensuing process is properly managed. We cannot go back to the crisis and loss of life, we have to all work together to ensure the peace and unity of our people.”
O’Neill said it had not been made clear as to how an independent Bougainville would fund itself. “It cannot rely on PNG to fund in the long term in a situation where it has voted for independence.”