Momis wants public service ready

BOUGAINVILLE government President Dr John Momis is relying on public service to be well-prepared for the upcoming referendum.
“We are about to embark to write the history of this island. The eyes of the world and the region are trained on us as we prepare for a historical and political exercise that will be our legacy for the next generation,” Momis told public servants.
“Gearing for the referendum in June is not only preparing the people but more significantly preparing the very structure that will hold the outcome of the referendum – the public service.
“The past months we hankered to speed up the awareness campaign. Funds have been spent and long man hours have been sacrificed.
“From the north to the south, from Buka to Buin, from the Atolls to Suir, our people, many with little learning but with tremendous love for Bougainville did their part to make sure their villages are weapons free.”
Momis said the general consensus was that most of the public servants had displayed courage and sincerity to pave the way for a better future for Bougainville.
He said there were still points of regression in the Bougainville public service that should be eradicated.
Corruption has seeped through the corridors of Bougainville public service in recent years with nepotism and under-the-table deals becoming rampant.
Momis said it was embarrassing that the Bougainville administration had to submit to the scrutiny of the anti-fraud division because it fell short of the expectations to exercise and embrace accountability and responsibility.
“Now is the time to stand together to serve our people who have been neglected for many years because of our failure to act and behave like true and real public servants,” he said.
“It is not too late to bring back the glory days of Bougainville envied by the other provinces in Papua New Guinea.
“The window of opportunity for us to show to the world what we are made of is closing on us.
“Let us not allow this to slip from our grip. It can be done if we all want it badly enough.”