MPs urge ABG to hold election

By DALE LUMA
THE Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has been urged to hold its elections as soon as possible.
In a press conference by the four Bougainville National Parliamentarians on Friday, South Bougainville MP and Minister for Information Communication Technology Timothy Masiu said the ABG had overstayed its term.
“We are asking for the ABG to conduct its elections quickly,” he said.
“Otherwise this government that is in place is illegal because they have now overstayed their term.
“The decisions they are making could be illegal.”
Masiu said there had been information that funds were allegedly being misused which was a concern.
“That must stop because that is corruption,” he said.
“Whatever funding you have, spend it on the people and not the ABG members and politicians.”
Central Bougainville MP Sam Akoitai, when commenting on the distribution of the Covid-19 awareness funds, said some of the money had been used by leaders for election campaigns.
“What has happened in Bougainville is that the ABG has seen fit to distribute K2 million amongst the members of ABG to go out and do awareness,” he said.
“That was the recommendation from the Health secretary according to the brief the minister for finance has given me.
“Why have you undermined your own systems in Bougainville?
“What do these members of parliament know about the virus?
“At this time, when you give this type of money to members of ABG, there is supposed to be elections and I believe this funding was distributed for campaigns.”
The ABG 2020 general election was scheduled for next month with writs to be issued on June 17 and returned on Sept 15.