Momis reveals autonomy panel

By Aloysius Laukai
AUTONOMOUS Region of Bougainville President John Momis has announced the composition of the panel of experts that will review autonomy arrangements for Bougainville.
The panel – Dr Ahai Naihuwo, John Mooney and Mark Smith for the ABG and Dr Lawrence Suase, Danny Aloi and Nemo Yelo for PNG.
Prof Andrew Axline of the University of Otawa in Canada, Prof Ted Wolfers of the University of Wollongong in New South Wales and Dr Anthony Regan of the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia, will also lend their expertise.
Momis said other individuals with particular knowledge of policy, law and economics and other issues in both the national and the ABG governments would also be readily accessible.
“There must be a strong element of political
participation in this work and for this to work,
both governments have agreed to establish
political oversight by agreeing to support the appointment of respective parliamentary committee,” he said.
“Such committee will not only monitor and track the review process, but also matters related to the preparation for referendum and going forward.”
Momis also urged the panel of experts to listen to the people’s views, including the former combatants, the Mee’kamui and all other factions on Bougainville.
“No group should be denied the opportunity to make full representation of their views and positions,” Momis said.