Momis backs foreign help

 THE Autonomous Bougainville Government has come under fire in recent weeks over Government’s engagement of foreign advisers.

ABG president Chief John Momis told the Bougainville House of Representatives on Tuesday that the need for foreign advisers was in itself justifiable as Bougainville needed outside help to boost its capacity in areas that it lacked.

“Under the Peace Agreement, the national government is obliged to do its best to obtain foreign aid to support restoration and development in Bougainville and to facilitate the ABG’s participation to manage aid projects,” Momis said.

He said the ABG was allowed to obtain foreign aid through its own efforts which was stipulated in the agreement.

“You can therefore understand that the Bougainville executive council and I would be negligent if we did not seek to use the powers and authority given under the Peace Agreement for the betterment of Bougainville,” he said.