New Ireland autonomy committee calls on PM to give provinces more powers

New Ireland Autonomy Committee chairman Sir Noel Levi is calling on Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to give them greater powers to govern affairs of their province.
Sir Noel said O’Neill should give equal attention to needs, aspirations and demands of all provinces, and not just Bougainville.
“The people of Bougainville made their political intention 44 years ago,” he said.
Sir said O’Neill had a constitutional responsibility and obligation on behalf of the State, of which Bougainville was an integral part, to assist Bougainville become independent.
“At the same time, I believe he should not ignore the desire and request from provinces such as New Ireland, East New Britain and Enga for deeper decentralisation and political autonomy,” he said.
Sir Noel said the 21 provinces, plus the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and the National Capital District, made up PNG.
“These entities are equal in status but differ in the status of development and advancement, politically, socially, and economically,” he said.
“You have to empower each province to take control of their own destiny.
“They have to take full responsibility of the resources that rightfully belongs to them.” Sir Noel urged O’Neill not to fear devolution of powers to the provinces but instead see it as a positive for future advancement of the country.
“Look at Australia,” he said.
“It practices federalism which is a form of greater autonomy and the states function quite efficiently.”